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
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Niagara Region 'proactively' declares state of emergency ahead of total solar eclipse
Niagara Region says it has declared a state of emergency 'out of an abundance of caution' as it prepares for an influx of visitors for next month’s total solar eclipse.
Social media can alter children's brains and impact mental health: neuroscientist
Neuroscientist Emma Duerden says social media can alter children's brains and have negative impacts on their mental health.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
Edmonton broadcasting giant Bruce Hogle dead at 95
An Edmonton broadcasting pioneer has passed away.
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
A Filipino villager is nailed to a cross for the 35th time on Good Friday to pray for world peace
A Filipino villager has been nailed to a wooden cross for the 35th time to reenact Jesus Christ’s suffering in a brutal Good Friday tradition he said he would devote to pray for peace in Ukraine, Gaza and the disputed South China Sea.
Sixth suspect charged in double homicide of Bowmanville, Ont. man, pregnant wife
A sixth suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 28-year-old man and his pregnant wife in Bowmanville, Ont., police confirmed Friday.