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Vernon  

Helping those in need

UPDATE: July 17, 1 p.m.

Donations, either financial or in goods, can be dropped off at Ace Hardware or Turtle Bay Pub in Lake Country, said Dan Marcotte, who's helping those displaced by wildfires.

Marcotte said the hardware store has apple bins to sort out goods as they come in.


ORIGINAL STORY: July 16

Dan Marcotte has not been back in the Okanagan for 24 hours and he is already planning his next trip to Prince George.

Thursday evening Marcotte, who operates Dan-Mel Moving, and Chris Brown, who operates, CM Renovations and Interiors, took a 14-foot flat deck trailer and four-ton moving truck full of donated supplies to Prince George to help those displaced by wildfires.

They returned to the Okanagan at around 1:30 Saturday morning.

“I want to go again to help the people, but I need donations, non perishable stuff, new pillows diapers, hygiene products for women, whatever I can get for my four-ton truck,” said Marcotte. “I would also need cash donations also to get the truck to Prince George.”

The pair left for Prince George Thursday evening and were escorted through fire zones by the RCMP.

“The RCMP were so awesome to us, they were so friendly and helpful,” he said.

Marcotte was deeply touched by the evacuees he met to the point he became emotional talking about the experience.

“It was very touching for me,” he said from Lake Country Saturday afternoon. “Just the expressions on people's faces was amazing. I want to go back and do what I can.

“They couldn't believe we would drive from the Okanagan to help them. That is what Chris Brown and I wanted to do. The expressions on their faces and the tears...it was so overwhelming. I can't explain it.

I just want to help. I would like the community to get on board, I just want to get back to Prince George as soon as I can.”

But before he can head back he needs donations and Marcotte is looking for a company or individual willing to act as a drop off point for donated items.

“Even if I have to park at the pull outs at Duck Lake to collect stuff I will, but I need community members to help me,” he said.

Anyone able to help can reach Marcotte at 250-215-0147, or by email at [email protected].



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