Community members collect toys, food and clothing for First Nation wildfire evacuees staying in Winnipeg hotels
With more than 2,000 people evacuated from First Nation communities in Manitoba, community members are collecting donations of food, clothes and toys for the families cooped up in hotel rooms.
Virginia Thomas was among the evacuees from Bloodvein First Nation – one of five First Nation communities that have been forced to be evacuated due to wildfires and smoke.
Thomas said during Bloodvein's evacuation on Monday, she was helping to spread the word for families to pack up and get out.
"Some of them were ready, some of them were not. So many of them left without clothing," she said.
"All the other communities around the surrounding areas were helping with the evacuees and that was really heart touching as well."
As of Thursday, the Canadian Red Cross said more than 2,000 people were evacuated from their homes in Little Grand Rapids, Bloodvein, Berens River, Pauingassi, and Red Sucker Lake.
The Red Cross said most of these evacuees have been staying in hotels in Winnipeg.
For many of the families – particularly those with small children – the move from their homes to a hotel in Winnipeg has been difficult, Thomas said.
"We don't know when we're going to go home, and that's so stressful for so many of us," she said.
"Many are really lonely for home – the older people, the children want to go home, they're so used to just stepping outside and going to play outside."
To help the effort, Thomas has been organizing donations for these families.
Thomas, who put out the call on Facebook on Friday, said the response has been overwhelming.
She said donations have been piling in, including food, clothing, shoes, and toys for the children to play with while stuck in a hotel room.
"I've been getting phone calls, I've been getting text messages, inboxes from many, many people," she said. "They're being so generous and kind-hearted about donations and it is so overwhelming for me."
For many families, it may be a while yet before they can return to their homes.
As of Saturday, the Manitoba Wildfire Service said 132 fires are burning across the province, including a number of fires near Bloodvein.
Frank Young, a CFS worker for Bloodvein who has been helping in the evacuation effort, said the fire around their community spread quickly.
"It actually ignited really close to our road, and when it actually picked up speed from the south-east, it jumped across the road," he said. "And then it just went crazy."
The fire damaged hydro poles in the area, knocking out power. Manitoba Hydro said it could take days for the power to be restored.
As of Saturday, Manitoba Hydro said the outage is affecting more than 1,500 people and is expected to be restored on Tuesday.
Thomas said she will continue to collect donations. They are calling for toys, bubble bath, snacks, books, clothing, juice boxes or bottles, games.
-with files from CTV's Jill Macyshon
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.