First General Services dropped off large industrial fans and frozen treats for teachers and students at Bayview Elementary. (submitted/First General)

By Spencer Sterritt

caring

Donations abound for heat-strapped schools and care homes

Jun 30, 2021 | 4:30 PM

NANAIMO — Many essential workers stuck inside were given a reprieve from the heat thanks to donations of cold drinks and fans.

Teachers and students at Bayview Elementary were sweltering in the heat before First General Services of Vancouver Island arrived with fans and frozen treats.

Brad Schiewe, general manager of First General Services, said they like to go above and beyond helping those in need.

“Just understanding some of the conditions they were facing and even our team faces with temperatures plus 30 degrees indoors without air conditioning…we like to do what we can in terms of giving back to the community we live and work in.”

Industrial-sized fans were provided to each classroom at the school.

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Such large fans were also dropped off by Winmar Nanaimo at the Dufferin Place care home, which activities supervisor Gwen Cooke said made a “massive” difference.

“They don’t feel the heat like we do, so getting fluids and getting our seniors in front of fans is really important to keep them moving,” Cooke said. “They can get very sick, very dehydrated, very quickly.”

Several donations were delivered to Dufferin Place on Monday, including cases of Gatorade from the Country Grocer on Dufferin Cres. and Pepsi, topped by 18 boxes of freezies from the Thrifty Foods in Longwood Station.

“We have no problems asking for donations for our seniors because have such passion for our residents,” Cooke said.

The recent heat wave took its toll on many area schools and care homes. SD68 encouraged parents to keep their kids home, VIU cancelled classes for several days and an emergency was declared at the Lakeside Gardens independent living facility.

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spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt