Canadian Red Crossers Go Door-to-Door in Flood-Stricken Communities this Weekend

KAWARTHA LAKES, ON, April 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadian Red Cross volunteers will be in flood-stricken communities in Kawartha Lakes and Ramara this weekend to ensure families affected are safe and well. 

"This is a difficult time for many Ontarians whose homes have been damaged by severe flooding," said Mike Morton, Canadian Red Cross, director of disaster management in Ontario. "Red Cross volunteers will be going door-to-door this weekend to check in on our neighbours." 

As flood levels recede, and emergency response efforts move to a recovery phase, one of the greatest needs identified by community officials and the Canadian Red Cross is to ensure those affected by flooding are safe and well, and have supplies to begin the process of cleaning their homes.

Canadian Red Cross volunteers plan to go door-to-door to approximately 500 homes in Kawartha Lakes and approximately 175 homes in Ramara, as identified by city officials and the Red Cross. Volunteers are highly trained and can easily be identified by their Red Cross vests.

Thanks to the generosity of The Home Depot and the local community supporting a fundraising drive at various LCBO stores, the Red Cross is able to distribute clean-up kits that will help families restore their homes. The kits contain cleaning products and supplies, gloves, garbage bags and other items

The Home Depot has generously donated enough supplies to create 300 flood clean-up kits. The kits will be assembled by staff at The Home Depot store in Bracebridge on Saturday, April 27.  

The Red Cross will also be distributing clean-up kits to families in Bracebridge once water levels recede and access to homes is possible. The Red Cross remains at the ready to help in other communities as needed. 

Red Cross volunteers have been on the ground in affected communities since the flooding began by operating reception centres to provide families and individuals with important information, food, water and/or lodging. Red Cross volunteers continue to support families with information, lodging, food and water in reception centres in, Minden Hills and Kawartha Lakes, as well as in Brundenell, Lyndoch and Raglan.

To date, more than 1000 homes across the province have been affected by the recent floods. 

SOURCE: Canadian Red Cross

Karen Snider, Canadian Red Cross, 416-518-2844 (in Kawartha Lakes area)