Members of Ladysmith Rotary present a $60,000 cheque to Disaster Aid Canada to assist with the Australian bush fires disaster (Ladysmith Rotary)

By Ian Holmes

community service

Ladysmith Rotary plays partnership card to provide timely Australian wildfire relief

Feb 8, 2020 | 11:14 AM

LADYSMITH — Rotarians in Ladysmith are leaning on their relationships to help people impacted in fire ravaged Australia and flooding in the Cowichan Valley.

Ladysmith Rotary hosted a cheque presentation Friday, Feb. 7 to unveil $60,000 raised from numerous sources for Disaster Aid Canada (DAC).

Gerry Beltgens, executive director of Victoria-based DAC said Ladysmith Rotary chipped in with $4,000 toward the total sent to Australia.

“With the fires we chose to only send money because Rotary Australia is able to buy whatever it needs down there or work with the communities to buy whatever is needed, Beltgens said, who doubles as a Ladysmith Rotarian.

Beltgens said Ladysmith Rotary provides upwards of $5,000 annually for natural disaster aid around the world, which typically involves shelter, hygiene products, water filtration systems and cash.

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He said while Ladysmith Rotary is relatively small with 30 members, the organization is punching well above its weight class.

“Even a small town like Ladysmith can have an impact way bigger than our size,” Beltgens said. “We’re able to mobilize Rotary, which is international…we have Rotarian’s in all these different areas.”

Australian wildfires isn’t the only funding need on the minds of Ladysmith Rotary.

A local flooding emergency forcing hundreds of Halalt First Nation residents from their homes near Crofton on Feb. 1 emerged as a pressing priority.

Soap for Hope Canada, a charity under DAC, is collecting vital essentials like cleaning supplies, warm clothing and hygiene products for Halalt First Nation residents.

Ladysmith Rotary president Sandra Milne said they are donating to Soap for Hope Canada to assist their neighbours to the south.

“These are the relationships that broaden our reach and allow us to make a notable and immediate impact,” Milne said.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes