By Tanya Cronin

Kamloops man delivers donations to Fort McMurray wildfire evacuees

May 25, 2016 | 4:37 PM

KAMLOOPS — A local man is proving just how generous the residents of Kamloops really are when it comes to helping the people of Fort McMurray. 

Michael Schill has just returned from the first of 2 trips to Alberta, where he is hand delivering much needed goods to wildfire evacuees. 

Schill worked in the oilpatch for 4 years and has a close connection to the community. Earlier this month he organized a donation drive, and Kamloops residents stepped up to the plate, providing thousands of dollars worth of supplies.
 

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A 2,000 kilometre journey on the road to Edmonton, hauling $7,000 worth of donated goods, all for the people of Fort McMurray forced to flee a raging wildfire.

“We were able to give them donation boxes and gifts and gift cards, it was really nice to connect with them, excited to see the smiles on their faces,” says Michael Schill.

With a 12 foot trailer full of supplies, Michael Schill and his family embarked on the first of two trips to Alberta last week. Documenting nearly every moment of their travels on social media, the group hand delivered much needed supplies to several evacuees.

“We had some cash donations and with those cash donations we went out and bought pillows and sheets and essential goods that these people would need, and we filled up these specialty boxes, got about 20 boxes together and insid they had all the key ingredients.” 

For 4 years, Michael has worked in the oilpatch, but just days before wildfire tore through Fort McMurray, he broke his leg and was sent home to Kamloops to recover. Watching as flames grew out of control, Michael couldn’t sit back, he knew he had to do something.

“There was a really warm welcome in the room that we walked into with these 15 evacuees, it was just really heartwarming to connect with them and hear their story and really get a sense of what’s going up there.”

Broken leg and all, Michael Schill is preparing to hit the road again. In a week and a half, he’ll  transport another round of donations to the people who need it most. This time, in the fire ravaged community of Fort McMurray.

“We’re trying to sort through all the stuff we get that was used, we’re going to take the good stuff up there, we’re going to collect the rest of the donations like what we have here at Protex today.”

With his truck and trailer full of hope, Michael will visit some of the hardest hit areas in Fort McMurray, and no doubt get a true picture of the reality and devestation.

“A big part of this trip was just understanding the reality for these people, we can sit back and watch TV all day long but we really don’t understand what’s truly happening, when I was up there I got a good sense of it and it made me want to help even more,” 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