When the Elm building at Rainbow Lodge was badly damaged in a fire on the morning of April 3, it didn鈥檛 take long for the community to come together to help.
And on Monday, June 17, the agencies that offered assistance 鈥� from fighting the fire and rendering first aid, to caring for displaced residents 鈥� received a formal 鈥榯hank you鈥� from the City of 91原创.
In one of his last duties as mayor of the City, Peter Fassbender presented plaques and words of gratitude to representatives from the 91原创 Township fire department, the Salvation Army, 91原创 Lions Senior Citizens Housing Society (which operates Rainbow Lodge) and BC Ambulance Service. Southgate Church鈥檚 contribution was also acknowledged.
In a case of very bad timing, on the day of the fire the City鈥檚 ladder truck was out for repairs, Fassbender told the gathering.
Luckily, the City鈥檚 closest neighbour had a vehicle available to help.
鈥淭he Township stepped up 鈥� big time,鈥� Fassbender said.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e a great neighbour to have. Thank you,鈥� Fassbender told assistant Township fire chief Bruce Ferguson, who came to City hall to represent the department.
鈥淥ver the years, we鈥檝e always assumed there was a working partnership (between the City and Township fire departments). This sealed the deal,鈥� Ferguson replied.
鈥淚f the same thing happened in the Township, I know we鈥檇 get the same response from the City.鈥�
Two paramedics from the BC Ambulance Service and Major James Hagglund, representing the Salvation Army, also attended to accept plaques on behalf of their organizations.
Lions Housing Society administrator, Jeanette Dagenais, and society president Sid Gullion, left the meeting with a plaque, the City鈥檚 thanks and a cheque for $25,000 from Christian Life Assembly.
Senior paster Brent Cantelon and missions pastor Steve Nicholson presented the cheque, explaining that it was raised through a collection taken at CLA, with the congregation donating $19,000. The remaining $6,000 was contributed from a church Blessing Fund.
鈥淲e hope it helps and blesses your residents,鈥� Cantelon told Dagenais.
Speaking the next day, Dagenais admitted the size of the donation took her a bit by surprise.
鈥淭he mayor had phoned and I did kind of know, but I didn鈥檛 imagine it would be that much,鈥� she said.
The money will be divided among residents who were affected by the fire, although how that will be done is still a matter for discussion, said Dagenais
鈥淲e may connect with the church on how they want to do it. It is such a large amount of money.
鈥淲e鈥檒l either work with them or give them a report,鈥� she said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing how the community came together 鈥� amazing how it stood behind the residents of the Elm building,鈥� said Dagenais.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a wonderful feeling to work in this community.鈥�
Two and a half months after the fire, things are getting back on track in the 104-unit Elm building, said Dagenais.
鈥淲e鈥檙e almost back to normal now and it鈥檚 a wonderful feeling.鈥�
