It's a Canada-wide effort and both Walmart and the Red Cross hope Saskatchewan residents will jump on board in support of the cause.
Thousands of Canadians are affected by disaster every year. On average, Canadian Red Cross volunteers respond to a disaster every four hours. Disasters range from house fires affecting one family to floods causing hundreds to be evacuated.
Since April of this year, Red Cross reports it has helped nearly 4,000 Saskatchewanians affected by flooding and forest fires.
On August 4, Walmart officially launched its annual cross-Canada campaign to collect money for Red Cross disaster response. The campaign will run until August 31, with an a goal to raise $135,000 in Saskatchewan to provide help to people when they need it most. All funds raised in Saskatchewan will stay in Saskatchewan to help provide families with essential items such as food, water, clothing, blankets, shelter, and cleaning supplies to help families clean their flood damaged homes, as well as support to help them recover from disasters.
Red Cross encourages anyone affected by recent flooding and in need of assistance to contact a Red Cross volunteer in confidence at 1-888-953-3463.
"It is very exciting to work with Walmart during this annual fundraising campaign," says Amanda Lauder, Public Affairs & Marketing Provincial Lead for Red Cross in Saskatchewan. "Especially given the recent number and magnitude of disasters Saskatchewan, this campaign is an excellent way for the people of Saskatchewan to make small donations that will add up to make a big difference."
Walmart Canada's sponsorship helps Canadian Red Cross provide emergency supplies including blankets, clothing, water and hygiene kits to vulnerable people across the country. Participating Walmart stores include Estevan, Kindersley, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Weyburn and Yorkton.
