More than 20,000 Nova Scotians have registered for wildfire financial aid
The fires in Halifax and Shelburne County have been devastating for the province of Nova Scotia. So far, 8,200 households and more than 20,000 people have registered for aid.
“To date, we have raised $1.7 million through our specific forest fire appeal,” says Bill Lawler of the Canadian Red Cross.
There are a myriad of needs and a number of aid organizations stepping in to help as quickly as they can.
A week after the fires became a concern, the process of distributing funds is still being coordinated. A lot of charities are raising money and dispersing those funds effectively takes time.
“The impact will be quite different from household to household and that’s what we will be working to do. Before we start to provide further assistance, we need to connect with those who have been impacted and we will be doing so via an email survey to all of those households who have registered with us,” Lawler says.
The United Way of Halifax is another group putting in long hours to help. In addition to accepting donations, they are proactively raising money.
Their big event is a benefit concert taking place Friday night at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, featuring a number of well-known artists, including Matt Mays, Joel Plaskett, Classified and Jenn Grant.
“We will be providing funds to service providers in the community who can work them directly with individuals to help them meet their needs, so we work with a vast number of service providers,” says the organization’s strategy director, Sue LaPierre.
“It’s important to note that this money will also support the community of Shelburne where the other fires are happening. We may be United Way Halifax but we’re going to be able to respond to any areas of the province where there is impact from the fire.”
Smaller scale efforts are also underway. Sandra Drover owns a clothing store and she is offering last year’s stock free of charge to anyone directly affected by the fires.
“I honestly can’t believe what these people have to be going through. It’s completely devastating,” Drover says. “The fact that we can help in a small way and maybe put a smile on somebody’s face because these articles are new and not worn and we can help,” she said, holding back tears.
Rounding out a true community effort to help others in their time of need.
The federal government will be matching all funds donated to the Canadian Red Cross dollar-for-dollar until June 29.
For the latest Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
B.C. port employers launch lockout at terminals in labour dispute with workers
Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.
Months after VRBO booking, Taylor Swift fan told home 'not available' during Vancouver concert
A frustrated Taylor Swift fan is speaking out after being pushed from a short-term rental she booked for the upcoming Vancouver leg of the superstar’s Eras Tour.
Felonies, assassination attempts and a last-minute change on the ticket leads voters to Tuesday's U.S. election
A campaign that has careened through a felony trial, incumbent being pushed off the ticket and assassination attempts comes down to Election Day on Tuesday.
Measles cases in New Brunswick more than double in three days
A measles outbreak declared in New Brunswick’s Zone 3 last week, which includes Fredericton and the upper Saint John River Valley, has more than doubled since last week.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Surprise swing state? Iowa poll has Harris suddenly leading
Based on victories in the past two elections and polls leading up to Tuesday’s election, Donald Trump had seemed almost certain to win Iowa, but a new poll has Kamala Harris with a sudden three-point lead.
Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports
Incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the U.S. and Canada, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Monday, citing Western security officials.