$1.4 million raised at BC Liquor/Cannabis stores for wildfire relief

Customers visiting BC Liquor Stores (BCLS) and BC Cannabis Stores (BCCS) this summer donated more than $1.4 million to help B.C. residents affected by this year’s wildfires.

The amount will be matched by both the provincial and federal governments, for a total exceeding $4.35 million.

From July 3 to Sept. 3, BCLS collected $1,393,309 in donations for the Canadian Red Cross B.C. Fires Appeal and BCCS collected $62,687.

The funds raised will help the Canadian Red Cross support immediate and ongoing relief efforts in B.C. communities affected by wildfires, as well as support long-term recovery, resiliency and preparedness for future events in British Columbia and affected regions.

“Thank you to all the customers and staff at the BC Liquor Distribution Branch for your incredible support of the Canadian Red Cross British Columbia Fires Appeal,” said Patrick Quealey, vice-president of British Columbia and Yukon with the Canadian Red Cross. “This year’s wildfire season has impacted communities throughout the province, and every dollar allows us to deliver much-needed help, now and in the weeks and months ahead.”

For BCLS, the stores that raised the most throughout the campaign were:

* #130 Penticton Plaza, raising $46,261

* #048 Salmon Arm, raising $41,581

* #158 Langley, raising $39,599

For BCCS, the top three stores were:

* #7020 Kamloops Columbia Place, raising $12,165

* #7023 Campbell River, raising $8,631

* #7024 Fort St. John, raising $5,817

The next fundraising campaign in BC liquor and cannabis stores will be in support of Food Banks BC. The campaign will run from Nov. 12, 2021 until Jan. 1, 2022, with the funds collected given to the food bank in the community where the funds are raised.