A former Saskatoon police sergeant and a local café owner are banding together to help wildfire evacuees in Saskatoon.
Brian Trainor has started an initiative, with help from d’Lish by Tish Café owner Tisha Paget, aiming to find items, such as sports equipment and art supplies, that can help evacuees pass the time.
Nearly 2,300 people have been evacuated from communities in northern Saskatchewan and are temporarily living in hotels and make-shift shelters.
Trainor, a retired police sergeant, works with people in northern communities in Saskatchewan.
He said he knows how difficult it is for people to flee their homes. He said one of the main issues for evacuees is finding ways to occupy time.
"Put yourself in their shoes,” Trainor said. "If you were all of a sudden bused up north and dropped off on a northern reserve, what would you do all day long without any material or anything to do. I mean, you'd be bored to tears.”
Paget was displaced by a house fire eight years ago and said she understands what evacuees are experiencing.
"I know what they're going through, as far as not having anything to do," said Paget.
She said her experience with a house fire is one of the reasons she decided to help out with the initiative.
The response from the community has been excellent, she said.
“Every time I put out a call for things I’m just amazed at the amount of donations I get,” Paget said.
However, she said they are still in need of items for evacuees.
They're asking people in the community to donate recreational items such as sporting goods, art supplies and games.
The donations can be dropped off at d'Lish by Tish Cafe between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
