Three tractor trailers have been filled within 48hrs with canned food, diapers, baby formulae and non-perishable food items. The community will be sending off these three trucks Monday at 1pm.​

By R. Paul Dhillon

SURREY – The B.C. Sikh Community of Lower Mainland, Abbotsford and Mission have jointly collaborated three trailer full of crucial supplies to send to victims of the massive fire in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Three tractor trailers have been filled within 48hrs with canned food, diapers, baby formulae and non-perishable food items. The community will be sending off these three trucks today at 1pm at the Fruiticana Warehouse located at 7676 Anvil Way, Surrey.

Due to the overwhelming response, donations are still being dropped off at Sikh Temples and Sikh Societies and an all day food drive is being organized for this coming Saturday, May 15th at the grounds of Tamanawis Secondary School at 126 Street and 60th Avenue, Surrey. 

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Surrey%20Sikh%20Community%20donates

Lower Mainlan’s Sikhs came together on Friday to the support of those who have been devastated by the wild fires in Fort McMurray, Alberta, where all 80,000 inhabitants have been evacuated from their homes and some neighbourhoods have been completely destroyed.

The Sikh Community, who has a history of helping people in need across the world, is praying for their strength, aid, and healing for the all those that have been and continue to be displaced and affected by these terrible events

The Sikh Community collected donations and much needed supplies at Lower Mainland Sikh Societies and Organizations and have made arrangements to send trucks with vital supplies to those in need in Alberta.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 6th to 8th, the Sikh Sangat was encouraged to drop off donations at Sikh Organizations in Surrey and New Westminster for the Fort McMurray Relief Effort.

Supplies that are much needed include canned food items, diapers and baby wipes. Donation boxes were setup at the following Sikh Organizations:

Akal Academy, #204 12639 80th Avenue, Surrey

Khalsa School Newton Campus, 6933 124th Street, Surrey

Khalsa School Old Yale Road Campus, 10677 124th Street, Surrey

Sikh Academy 12895 85 Ave, Surrey

Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, 15255 68th Avenue, Surrey

Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, 7050 120th Street, Surrey

Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, #115 12885 85th Avenue, Surrey

Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar,  347 Wood Street, New Westminster

Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara,  8115 132 Street, Surrey

Darbar Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji –  8820 168 St, Surrey

For more information please contact Akal Academy Surrey at 604-729-2000 or through akalacademysurrey@gmail.com

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also said Friday that he'll visit Fort McMurray, but a prime ministerial trip while firefighters are trying to contain the blaze would not be helpful.

Trudeau told reporters in Toronto Friday morning that he wants to visit in the next few weeks, but now his focus is on ensuring Ottawa plays its part.

"I think we’re all aware that a prime minister showing up in Fort McMurray when firefighters are busy trying to contain a massive, raging wildfire is not a particularly helpful thing," Trudeau said in response to a question about when he'd go see the damage.

"The best thing I can do right now is make sure that our operations centre and indeed the lines of communication with the folks on the ground and the folks in Alberta are as robust, instant and effective as possible."

Fort McMurray's 80,000 residents have been evacuated from the city, with the nearby communities of Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates, Fort McMurray First Nation and Mackenzie County also under evacuation orders, provincial officials said Thursday evening.

According to authorities, 49 fires were still burning in the area, with more than 1,110 firefighters, 145 helicopters, 138 pieces of heavy equipment and 22 air tankers fighting them.