I just want to announce: We survived!
There’s a lot to deal with after The Flood, and Calgarians are responding in overwhelming ways!
For example: early Monday morning, the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) announced that they needed volunteers to meet at McMahon Stadium to hand out information packets to displaced people who would (eventually) be returning home. They expected around 600.
Thanks to social media sites, around 3,000 people had arrived by 10am, all ready with boots and gloves, to start the Clean-up.
There’s so many examples of that. So many reception centers have had to put notices on line that they can no longer take donations, because the generosity of the people has outweighed storage space. (Not including, of course, monetary donations, which are always needed…and easily stored…)
There are specific websites, too, that are very specific with their “needs” lists, so you don’t have to use your imagination.
There’s also sites for WHERE to go to volunteer:
http://www.yychelps.ca/
http://volunteercalgary.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/calgary-flood-donation-drop-off-points-and-wish-lists/
Calgary Flood Cleanup 2013
http://www.yychelps.ca/
http://volunteercalgary.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/calgary-flood-donation-drop-off-points-and-wish-lists/
Calgary Flood Cleanup 2013
(There was a pamphlet that outlined important information for volunteers…it included what to expect, what to wear, and how to protect against grime and contaminants…I can’t find it now, but if you are going to volunteer – you should find it!! Or if someone reading this finds it, please add it in the comments! Thanks!)
AND, there’s also websites set up for the reuniting of pets with their families.Calgary Flood Lost/Found Pets & Fostering
Horizon Veterinary Group and Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (These sites aren’t specific about the flood, but include separated pets)
Using these sites, I had the very exciting privilege, yesterday, to help a puppy reunite with his family. I was browsing Calgary Flood Lost/Found Pets & Fostering on Facebook and, in passing, I saw a message from Horizon Veterinary Group about a Found pet that was the same breed and seemed to have the same expressions, etc., so I called the owner and next thing I know, he’s on his other line with the Veterinary Clinic that had the puppy, and was going to go pick him up!
It’s not all Clean-up. There are still power outages (as of noon on July 25th, there were still 18,500 people without power), and there are many who can’t go home yet.
We are kept informed by news media sites that are kept up-to-date, so we aren’t overwhelmed by not knowing.The City of Calgary
http://www.calgarycitynews.com/ and CTV News
660News
http://www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca/
http://alberta.ca/Recoveryinformation.cfm
The Zoo people say that they seem to be recovering now, though, thankfully.)
In the meantime, volunteers are showing up all over the city – people are bringing food and coffee and water to the sites. If they can’t stay to do the work, they are dropping off supplies.
Awwww – and I just found a new bunch of websites that are people offering free services – like pumping out basements (Action Auger and Boreal Vac & Pressure Services, and maybe others, in case I miss someone) and repairing computers (Clever Concierge), to name a few - to Flood Victims.
There are tons of fundraisers going on – I can’t even list everything. Lots of concerts, restaurants, etc.
Sigh. These things are all making me teary…
The Calgary Stampede is coming up, and many wondered if the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth would go on (since just recently the Stampede Grounds were completely under water) and Mayor Nenshi has confirmed that “Yes, the Show must go on.” And, I’m not sure who added the “Come Hell or High Water” comment after that, but you can get that on a t-shirt now, with proceeds going to Flood Victims and Clean-up.
And did you notice the picture of the poster at the beginning of my blog? THAT is TODAY!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment