Helping Communities
May 2023 Flooding at Parkers Cove
Helping Parkers Cove
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Our neighbouring community of Parkers Cove are struggling with the melting ice pack and rising flooding waters. Many homes are currently threatened and a portion are under evacuation order with no water service. The Parker Cove community, which has a large senior base, has been working around the clock the past few days doing the backbreaking manual work of loading sandbags to protect their homes. We, neighbouring community members, understand their need and call to action. NWCA board members have been aiding with sandbagging efforts.
As a community, we care deeply about our neighbors and want to help in any way we can. We reached out and got some donations of food and refreshments. On May 3, we dropped off 40 pizzas, water, fruit, pepperoni and cheese sticks, granola bars, muffins, cookies, and other food items to help relieve the stress and provide some nourishment to those affected. We are committed to helping our neighbors in any way we can and are grateful for the support!
Video courtesy of NWCA Secretary Director, Fawn Myndzak
A Big Thank you goes out NWCA supporter Ryan Hargreaves, from Lacasa Market who donated $500 that went to providing pizzas from Domino's to start the assistance efforts. Thank YOU to Domino's Pizza in Vernon, BC for giving an incredible discount and for your crew who made up the pies with absolutely no notice! Terry from Save-On-Foods, Village Green in Vernon BC, who helped us out with water and the ladies at Walmart VERNON, B.C. for understanding the need and making the gift of having snacks to fuel the volunteers working tirelessly a reality.
Valued NWCA supporter, Heather Lastik, owner of COBS Bread on Anderson Way, has been out humbly offering her delicious baked buns, breads, and goodies to power the crews for multiple days.
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On Thursday, May 4, with heat recording at 30 degrees in Killiney and the sun beaming down, the efforts to fortify walls protecting properties continued. Labour, water, and more supplies were needed to support the efforts.
Ryan Hargreaves, from Lacasa Market continues to supply water, food, and snacks. Donna Steele, of EXP Realty, showed up after a large trip to Costco loading up the stations with water, cutlery and salads to compliment the Popeyes chicken dinner supplied courtesy of our NWCA Donation. Safeway finished up the load a $100 donation that was used for sparkling water. BellyBelle Bakeshop stopped by with baked goods. Tanya Saddleman, a local OKIB teacher, showed up to cap the night off with water and more supplies.
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Donations and most importantly labour assistance has been reaching outside of our community from Armstrong to Salmon Arm as far as Kamloops. Kelowna residents have been turning up to shovel too. Strong willed and selfless are the people silently coming out to build the wall of sand. The wall is absolutely massive and is currently doing the job of holding back devastation.
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Please keep the help and donations coming as the volunteers are going to continue the battle. For Friday, May 5th, CARSTAR Armstrong in collaboration with Advanced Solutions (dxcas.com) will be bringing in dinner from Subway to feed volunteers working hard. Rest and bbq areas have been set up by Parker Cove residents for volunteers to recharge.
Over the last few years our community has been tested and results show that we are resilient and come back stronger and united. This is what makes the Westside the Bestside.
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~ Jaimie Dewar, NWCA Communications Director
Check back here for updates!
Thank You for the Donations:
LaCasa Market
Walmart
Save On Foods
Thank you to Jenny and Chris, owners of Su Casa Landscaping, for always stepping up and motivating us all to follow.
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Jenny is the woman driving the effort and reached out to the NWCA board for support to purchase food and refreshments for hardworking crews.
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We support the hard efforts of our North Westside Community Members and donated.
Sandbagging efforts have been halted. OKIB has confirmed on their website that there are 20,000 sandbags in reserve, Emergency Management staff have plenty of resources. OKIB has delivered 285 dump truck loads of sand to the Whiteman’s creek sandbagging station since Monday, May 1st. For further updates please follow - Okanagan Indian Band News & Updates (okib.ca)
THANK YOU TO ALL THESE ADDITIONAL SPONSORS THAT HAVE DONATED WITH US TO HELP OUR PARKER COVE NEIGHBOURS!
