The citizens of Carlyle and area have made a significant contribution in aid of the southeast Saskatchewan flood victims.
On Tuesday morning, Carol Ann and Harold Smith arrived at the Salvation Army headquarters in Estevan to deliver a cheque in the amount of $4,872 which represented the proceeds from a special concert in the Carlyle Full Gospel Church featuring the Freedom Singers.
The Smiths reported that well over 100 people attended the concert and the donations were generous since they all knew where the money was going to be directed.
Major Len Millar of the Salvation Army accepted the cheque and outlined some of the areas in which the money will be spent. He noted that school is just now getting underway and some young flood victims would need to replenish basic school supplies including clothing. He noted that in total, about 140 home owners in the valley and along the flood water routes this spring, have now been informed that their residences are no longer habitable or require major reconstruction work. He said not all victims have stepped up yet either.
The Salvation Army gained access to the former Acklands-Grainger building next door through arrangements with that company, and they are now storing several pieces of furniture and appliances as well as additional clothing personal care items and kitchen supplies. That allows them to extend their services for the victims.
"Anyone affected by the flood is eligible to come in and pick up what they feel they'll need. We're not charging for it," said Millar, noting that the message was especially going out to school-aged young people.
"We have dishes, clothing, cutlery, and of course we continue to operate the local food bank and the regular retail store," he said, while giving the Smiths a tour of the SA building and the warehoused items in the Acklands-Grainger facility.
"We have access to the Acklands-Grainger building until the end of October; we might need to ask for an extension of that contract. We have a lot of furniture yet and the victims are coming in pretty steadily still," the Major said.
In some instances, the recipients need a little assistance on the furniture end of things as they set up temporary living accommodations while awaiting more permanent residences or while waiting for damage assessment claims to be settled and so on. He said the recovery service was there to help them bridge that gap.
