MDS Canada calling for volunteers to help with B.C. flood clean-up

ABOVE: Walter Wiebe (r) walks with Princeton Baptist Church Kyle Nichols (l) along a muddy formerly flooded street in Princeton, B.C. 

Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Canada is calling for volunteers to help with cleaning out homes in Princeton, B.C. following the catastrophic flood that hit that town in mid-November.

Around 20 volunteers are needed by December 6 to help people in that interior community clean out their flooded homes.

The call comes after a visit to Princeton on November 23 by Ross Penner, Director of Canadian Operations for MDS Canada, and Walter Wiebe of Abbotsford, who is serving as response coordinator on behalf of the MDS B.C. Unit.

The two met with emergency response officials, took a tour of the community with Princeton Mayor Spencer Coyne, and met other members of the community responding to the disaster.

Initial reports indicate about 300 homes need to be cleaned out due to the flooding.

MDS Canada is doing its work in partnership with MCC B.C., an organization supported by Mennonite churches in B.C. that responds to people suffering from poverty, conflict, oppression and disaster internationally and at home.

“We see ourselves working in support of MDS Canada and local churches needing help in responding the flood,” said Wayne Bremner, Executive Director of MCC B.C.

People who want to volunteer with MDS Canada for a week or for a day can contact Kelsey Friesen at 204-261-1274, 1-866-261-1274, or kfriesen@mds.org. Volunteers should be 16 years of age and older.

Accommodation and food will be provided for volunteers who go to Princeton.

All COVID-19 health and safety protocols will be followed by MDS Canada in the response, and all volunteers must be fully vaccinated.

While MDS Canada is responding in Princeton, Samaritan’s Purse is responding to needs in Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Merritt.

Donations are welcome for B.C. fire and flood response at https://mds.mennonite.net/donate/

John Longhurst, MDS Canada Communications Manager

Image courtesy: British Columbia provincial government