Right or left, this ought to concern you. It definitely concerns us — that is the reason YVR Communities is deploying the AFR Initiative.
We are pivoting to be prepared for the next one, and not just doing recovery for this one. Assume that there will be one soon and that our call to action is not limited to one disaster. This will include forest fires in the summer.
CALL 7 7 8 . 8 0 7 . 2 0 1 9 IF YOU REQUIRE RELIEF FROM A FLOOD OR FIRE. WE DO NOT CHARGE.
WE ALSO NEED EQUIPMENT AND OTHER NECESSITIES if you have some you can give or lend to us. DONATIONS ARE WELCOME, TOO. We are a registered non-profit society and can provide our legal docs/society number upon request.
(Please send offers [summarize the offer in the subject line] OR etransfers to leadership@yvrcommunities.org)
WE NEED:
- water pumps and respective hoses/fittings.
- generators (diesel/gasoline/or propane-powered)
- engine oil
- gasoline or gas gift cards (any denomination. Some will be used for operations, some to give to flood victims)
- extension cords
- utility/construction lighting
- diesel
- volunteers
- tents (camping AND utility)
- sleeping bags and other camping gear
- pillows
- first aid kits
- thermal/regular blankets
- heaters (propane heated preferred, with or without fan OK)
- fans (also referred to as air-movers, which is what we really need)
- portable/folding/camping tables
- portable/folding/camping chairs
- propane
- safe and functional propane TANKS up to 50lb
- warm food
- coffee
- grillable foods
- functional fridges and freezers
- individually wrapped snack foods such as granola bars, power bars, etc...
- ironically, we need water
- beverages (non-alcoholic will go to community members, alcoholic will be used for fundraising event or two)
- one or two SEAWORTHY shipping containers, sturdy and well-sealed enough to withstand heavy rainfall and possibly another flood
- high ground in the Abbotsford area, to store the above shipping container of donated/loaned recovery equipment, preferably long term
- grocery store gift cards, any denomination
- department store gift cards, any denomination
- clothing store gift cards, any denomination
- take-out food gift cards, any denomination
- portable showers
- portable washrooms
- soap, shampoo, laundry detergent
- work gloves
- rain gear
- disposable/compostable foodware (plates, forks, knives, spoons, napkins... you know the rest)
- access to laundry machines (commercial or residential. we can negotiate terms such as frequency or limiting access to security screened volunteers, etc... you're the boss! but we need non-flooded parties to come forward)
- sleeping quarters/land to temporarily camp on
- non-flooded, fenced land for temporary livestock displacement
- 2x4 and plywood, fasteners for building temporary animal shelters
- hay
- cat-sitters, dog-sitters
- clean fill such as stone aggregate
- drywall, flooring, vapor barrier, PL Premium, insulation, 2x4, 2x6, 2x10, plywood, staples, nails, screws and other fasteners, cabinetry, furniture (preferably new or otherwise bed-bug-free), dishware, dishwashers, laundry machines, and other items/fixtures you can imagine you would need to rebuild a home after a flood 🌊 or fire 🔥
- more will be added to this list when we think of it/demand is indicated by the community
When you donate an item from the list; we will meet with you, send you to our basecamp (Abbotsford)/drop-off point (one in each municipality), or send a volunteer to pick it up.
Please be considerate. This is not a means to "feel good about throwing something away", like your old moldy mattress or busted TV/dysfunctional appliances, etc... please critically think: "Would I need this if I were camping/couch-surfing or had no home/place to store it in?"... if you wouldn't, then don't "donate" it — that is called DUMPING and THAT IS NOT COOL WITH US.
Furthermore, we will not be accepting clothing donations. We do not have the manpower or resources to screen, clean and sort the clothing. Please take clothing to the Salvation Army or an Abbotsford church/place of worship/community centre.
All items being donated to the AFR must be approved. Any "fly by night" drop-offs behind our backs/without our awareness will be considered DUMPING, and reported to police/local by-law authority.
Please be considerate. This is not a means to "feel good about throwing something away", like your old moldy mattress or busted TV/dysfunctional appliances, etc... please critically think: "Would I need this if I were camping/couch-surfing or had no home/place to store it in?"... if you wouldn't, then don't "donate" it — that is called DUMPING and THAT IS NOT COOL WITH US.
Furthermore, we will not be accepting clothing donations. We do not have the manpower or resources to screen, clean and sort the clothing. Please take clothing to the Salvation Army or an Abbotsford church/place of worship/community centre.
All items being donated to the AFR must be approved. Any "fly by night" drop-offs behind our backs/without our awareness will be considered DUMPING, and reported to police/local by-law authority.
WE ALSO NEED...
Local humans to host or help flood/fire victims. PLEASE REST ASSURED THAT WE VERIFY VICTIM ADDRESSES TO ENSURE THEY WERE INDEED AFFECTED, AND SCREEN EVERY SINGLE PERSON. We want everyone to be comfortable. We strongly condemn anyone being taken advantage of, or put in a difficult position. Anyone who helps us or any victim that needs help will be assigned a case manager that will ensure the smooth flow of transactions.
Property owners/tenants:
- to provide temporary shower/laundry machine/washroom use
- ANY party to provide temporary shelter/place to sleep even if only at night such as a couch, a boathouse, community centre, church, warehouse, workspace, vacant commercial property, office, a garage, a cottage, airbnb, gazebo, RV/camp trailer, a boat, dorm/hotel/motel room, or even a barn, tool shed or tree fort!! CREATIVITY IS FUN!
- to provide lawn/backyard to temporarily camp
- cat-sitters, dog-sitters
- access to laundry machines (commercial or residential. we can negotiate terms such as frequency or limiting access to security screened volunteers, etc... you're the boss! but we need non-flooded parties to come forward)
- non-flooded, fenced land for temporary livestock displacement
- high ground for our (when we find a donor) one or two shipping containers to be short or long term stored on (to store gear on standby, waiting for the next natural disaster)
- RV owners to lend their RV (without moving it) temporarily
VOLUNTEERS, Specialists and subject-matter experts (volunteers preferred and will be given priority. Not listed/you an everything kinda person that wants to do a variety? Hit us up, anyway!):
- class 1 drivers
- electricians
- heavy equipment operators
- framers
- drywallers
- door and window installers
- carpenters
- restoration techs/project managers/equipment owners
- Occupational First Aid specialists
- grant writers
- labourers: heavy lifting
- labourers: light lifting
- labourers: admin/no lifting
- salvagers
- junk removers
- collectors
- auctioneers/estate salespeople
- garbage/recycling sorters
- friendly faces to greet/direct people
- cooks
- bakers
- logistics coordinators
- PEOPLE WITH VEHICLES/WHO CAN DRIVE!!
- painters
- woodworkers (for building temporary animal shelters)
- lawyers/paralegals
- accountants
- investigators/people who can find stuff
- mediators
- farmers (with or without equipment)
- veterinarians
- advocates
- cleaners: light duty/heavy duty/indoor/outdoor (up to you)
- venture capitalists/people who have or can find money
- mechanics (to fix all the messed up vehicles!)
- vehicle glass, body and interior/upholstery specialists
Businesses willing to donate items or services/Sponsors of any kind (within reason)/any other major Donors (all of you please reach out to us, whether or not you are on this list!):
- portable washroom/portable shower rentals to lend equipment
- septic waste removal company to empty the above mentioned graciously lent as a courtesy
- realtors to connect us with owners of vacant properties, commercial or residential
- hotels/motels to let VERIFIED victims standby for unbooked rooms at 11pm, out by 9am
- neighbourhood houses
- companies that own dumpster bins/hauling companies
- grocery stores to donate food and gift cards to victims. we can even provide a list of verified victims for them to come by and show their ID
- department stores for household essentials
- warehouse to store our emergency gear if the shipping container idea doesn't work out
- vehicle and truck/cargo van rental companies
- rich people
- movie theatres or other entertainment venues so these people can have entertainment to relax/have a break while they wait to be able to return to their homes
- quarries or anyone able to provide clean fill
- dump truck owner/operators
- heavy equipment rental companies or construction companies that own this stuff
- lumber mills
- lumber dealers
- hardware/lumber stores
- flooring stores
- kitchen and bathroom stores
- other non-profits
- municipalities
- restoration companies!!
- farms/farmers (with or without equipment)
- veterinarian clinics
- convenience stores
- gas stations
- propane companies
- painting stores
- restaurants/fast food establishments (franchise or corporate owned)
- other franchisees
- other business owners
