“We’re here to support our fellow Canadians in a time of need. In addition to the food and clothing we want to offer our hearts. We want the residents of Fort McMurray to know that we stand with them and we support them now and we will continue to support them. It’s truly an honor to be here right now and be able to do this seva [selfless-service], ” said Volunteer Coordinator Lakhbir Singh.

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SURREY – After sending 9 semi-trucks full of food and clothing worth over $1 million to Edmonton, Alberta for those affected by the Fort McMurray Fire, the Sikh community has sent a group of 15 volunteers to Edmonton to volunteer with Alberta Emergency Relief Services.

 Volunteers arrived on Friday May 20^th and have been volunteering daily from 10am to 6pm directly with Fort McMurray residents.

Volunteer Coordinator Lakhbir Singh: “We’re here to support our fellow Canadians in a time of need. In addition to the food and clothing we want to offer our hearts. We want the residents of Fort McMurray to know that we stand with them and we support them now and we will continue to support them. It’s truly an honor to be here right now and be able to do this seva [selfless-service].”

The fifteen volunteers range in age from 19 years old to 30 years old except for one who is a senior citizen.

In a recent call from Nancy Hollman from Alberta Emergency Relief Services, she expressed great thanks and appreciation to the BC Sikh Community for their generosity.

Campaign  coordinator Avtar Singh Gill said “We have gotten a lot of media attention about the truck loads of donations, but that is not what this is about. One of the basic tenants of the Sikh faith is seva (selfless-service) and that is our mission here. We must support our brothers and sisters of Fort McMurray and as Sikhs and Canadians, the passion to help and the passion to do seva is in our blood. We are very excited to not only send the trucks but to also have volunteers on the ground helping in Alberta.”

Surrey based Akal Academy has provided free transportation and accommodation to all volunteers and is also organizing an appreciation dinner for all of the volunteers that have contributed to this effort.

Since the devastation in Fort McMurray the Sikh community has come together to collect $1 Million dollars in food and clothing for those affected by the fires. Nine semi-trucks full of food and clothing were sent to Edmonton, Alberta driven by the spirit of Seva (selfless service) and Sarbat da Bhalla (well-being of all people). The Sikh community continues to pray for the families affected by the Fort McMurray fire and will continue to support them in this time of tragedy.

Volunteer Rashpal Singh said "It was a true privilege to have been given this opportunity to participate with this Seva. The situation in Edmonton was very eye opening, we were there for a week and the stories we heard from the evacuees were unbelievable, certainly painted a picture of their struggles in this difficult time. Makes one appreciate the things they may take for granted a little more. We may be separated by province but when it comes down to it, in a time that our neighbors needed us, it was important to show them we are all united and ready to stand as one. What really touched our hearts was seeing the smiles on the faces of those affected, it was amazing to see everyone smiling and staying positive. It seemed as if they really had faith in the power of humanity and the effort everyone was investing to help them in any way possible. This wasn't a religious outreach, it was something as simple as being human and helping a fellow human being. However, it was significant because this belief is what truly defines our Sikh philosophy and is something Sikhs worldwide grew up learning to accept as a lifestyle norm."