KAMLOOPS — A Kamloops man who has worked in Fort McMurray for the past 4 years, is organizing a way for people like him to back to the fire-ravaged community.
Michael Schill is heading up a donation drive, in an effort to fill a 12 foot trailer unit with much needed supplies – to provide evacuees with some relief.
Schill plans to drive to Fort McMurray next week and deliver the goods. He has also set up a Facebook page and a gofundme account, to gather money to put towards personalized care-packages for families.
A truck and trailer full of hope, it’s the way Michael Schill is showing that Kamloops has Fort McMurray’s back.
“We’re going to help you rebuild, help you get back on your feet, you guys need anything we’re going to help you out,” says Michael Schill.
For 4 years, Michael has worked in the oilpatch. But just days before wildfire ravaged Fort McMurray, he broke his leg and was sent home to recuperate. Like many, he watched in horror as flames grew out of control, and the Northern Alberta city, burned.
“My friends and family, their houses are burning up, getting phone calls and facebook messages that people have lost their house already, it really hit home, it really hit my heart, and it was just devestating, I was in utter shock, I think I’m still in shock.”
He knew he had to do something. So, Michael has focused his energy on filling up a 12 foot trailer with essential supplies, specific new items he knows wildfire evacuees need at this very time.
“We’re trying to focus on new clothes, high protein food and drink, electrolyte drinks, gift cards to walmart, canadian tire, fuel cards, essentially these are the type of things that are going to help the volunteers, the firefighters, the evacuees in Fort McMurray area.”
It’s hoped Kamloops residents will open their hearts, and donated goods, that will be personally transported and delivered by Michael himself. With the help of family, he’ll embark on the first of two trips to Fort McMurray next Wednesday.
“We’re going to try and deliver them products to cheer up their day a little bit, and take photo and video of the entire adventure and post it on our Kamloops Cares Facebook page and allow Kamloops to follow along on the story and see where their donations are going.”
While a broken leg isn’t a positive thing, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Michael Schill, he would have been trapped in the firestorm. As he prepares to help others, Michael isn’t sure what he’ll encounter when he returns, and whether the home he shares with friends was spared by flames is still standing.
“It was on the border line of one of the communities that did lose everything, I think I’m still struggling with how to proceed from here, ultimately I’m employed full-time up there and this is going to effect myself and a lot of people in Kamloops’ life from here on out,” says Schill.
‘KAMLOOPS CARES’ FORT MAC RELIEF
ITEMS NEEDED:
Gift Cards, Personal Hygiene, Diapers, Child Care, Pet Care, Non-perishables, ‘New’ clothing
DROP OFF LOCATIONS:
Leading Edge Motorsports
Smith Chevrolet
Protex Paint Protection
Facebook Page – Kamloops Cares
gofundme.com/22vhhnnw
1-403-796-4214
