Community generosity has turned a small-scale donation collection into a full-scale delivery to those in need in Merritt, B.C.
Initially, staff at the Castlegar RE/MAX office were gathering items to take to Grand Forks to add to a truck of donations destined for the residents of Merritt who were hit with the recent flooding.
But after the company’s realtors starting posting on social media about the collection, the pile of donations started to grow exponentially.
Eventually broker/owner, Clark Coyston and his wife Sandra altered the plans and decided to try and fill the local RE/MAX trailer and drive the load of donations to Merritt themselves.
Re/Max production manager Leeanna Kootnikoff says the deadline to donate had to be extended because calls kept coming in. But the trailer was loaded on Friday, Dec. 3.
“The gratitude and appreciation have been so overwhelming,” said Kootnikoff.
“It really shows the true meaning of community spirit and how even though we aren’t there we all feel the devastating loss.”
Now that the flooding donations are gone, the office is continuing with their Coats for Kids campaign.
You can drop off lightly used children’s winter clothing at the Castlegar RE/MAX office at 1480 Columbia Avenue. All items will be cleaned and distributed to participating local schools so that kid’s will stay warm this winter.
READ MORE: Castlegar Library collecting new hats, scarves and food for Christmas hampers
betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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Castlegar RE/MAX collected a trailer full of donations for Merritt flooding victims. Photo: RE/MAX
