Northumberland continues to rally to support residents displaced from their home after a fire ripped through a seniors apartment complex in Colborne Friday.
The blaze forced about 20 or so residents from their homes as firefighters worked in brutal conditions to knock down the inferno and contain it from spreading.
As the news reverberated throughout the community and region, residents, businesses, organizations and more almost immediately started stepping up with offers to help and donations started flooding in.
The Colborne Legion was among those that quickly stepped in to serve as an overflow donation centre, helping manage a growing volume of supplies arriving from across the region.
“So this morning (Saturday), we were a little overwhelmed yesterday with tons of packages coming in,” said John Sharpe, with the legion.
Sharpe said the legion became involved after receiving a call from the Keeler Centre requesting additional space to handle donations.
“We kicked into action here at the legion. It wasn’t too long before they called and said: ‘We need some overflow.’”
“I said, bring it on in. Today, we’ll sort it, pack it and hopefully we can find some good homes for it.”
Donations have included everything from clothing, to bedding, to jackets, to footwear, to toiletries, pet supplies and more, helping to meet more immediate needs for displaced residents.
Cash donations are also being accepted and will be distributed through partner organizations and local relief efforts.
Julie Farrell, secretary treasurer of the Colborne Legion, said the response has gone beyond what many expected.
She added that support has arrived from across communities including Port Hope, Cobourg, Brighton, Grafton, Belleville, and elsewhere, underscoring the strength of regional solidarity.
Organizers said the community’s response was astounding, recognizing just quickly communities came together to support their neighbours in crisis.
(Written by: Joseph Goden, with files from York Bell Smith and Sarah Hyatt)
