During difficult times, Fred Rogers suggests looking for the helpers. In local communities, they were easy to find as people stepped up from near and far to lend a hand.
Hundreds of volunteers gathered in Stonewall on June 12 to fill and place sandbags in an effort to protect homes and properties threatened by rising floodwaters following the historic rainfall event
In Grosse Isle, many residents who weren’t dealing with flooding in their own homes jumped in to help others who weren’t so fortunate.
When the RM of Rosser opened the Grosse Isle Recreation Centre as a safe space for residents whose homes were flooding, community members banded together to provide water, coffee and breakfast.
As lunch approached, a group of residents pulled out the community barbecue and ran to the local store so they could cook up hot dogs and hamburgers for all those working around the clock to get water out of their basements, as well as for anyone waiting at the hall.
Sandbags were brought to the hall, and several people helped fill them for community members outside of town. A local family provided pizza and salad for supper for anyone impacted by the flood. Port-a-potties were also brought in so the community could avoid using water.
“So many people were working together and continue to help one another out. It’s been a really difficult time for so many in our community as a lot of houses had basements completely full of water,” said Grosse Isle resident Monica Baldwin.
“This was a real team effort and continues to be a community effort helping one another and trying to ease the pain of those hardest hit.”
Randi Findlay, who is on the board for the rec centre, said almost everyone woke up with water damage, but word spread quickly about how bad things really were, particularly for neighbours on Son Crescent and the south end of town.
“People just started showing up to help out at people’s homes and at the hall to feed people, head out with food, fill sandbags and to check on our friends and neighbours. Everyone from adults to kids were out helping where they could, and many still are,” she said.
“Neighbours from Rosser and other communities have shown up to help out where they can, hauling things, showing up with food and care packages, and bringing down tractors and trailers for the cleanup. Things like this are heartbreaking, but the silver lining is the way it brings everyone together — it was pretty amazing to see the way we all showed up for our community.”
When Stonewall resident Alia Steinke saw how many basements were flooding on Tuesday night, she launched a community donation drive through her online boutique, Wknd Styles Co.
“I’ve been collecting both donated goods — food, toiletries, diapers, gift cards — and e-transfer donations, then bringing everything straight to local families who lost the most,” she said.
“I’ve also been reaching out to other local businesses to pitch in and using the shop’s social media to spread the word and coordinate drop-offs and pickups.”
When she saw social media posts about basement flooding from someone she knows through her clothing boutique, she couldn’t scroll past without doing something to help.
“I’ve run a small business in this town for about four years and, honestly, this community is the reason Wknd Styles Co. exists. When your neighbours support you for years, showing up for them when it counts isn’t even a question,” she said.
“And disaster aid takes months to come through — people need groceries this week, not in the fall. It has also been heartbreaking to hear that many families don’t have insurance coverage and might not be covered by the DFA program.”
When Steinke put out the word about the donation drive, the community was quick to back her up.
“People have dropped off donations, sent e-transfers and shared the drive all over social media. I’m hoping to get a bunch of local businesses together to help collect donations,” she said.
“It’s reminded me that Stonewall really does take care of its own — that small-town spirit is still very much alive here.”
Anyone who’d like to help — and anyone who needs help — can text Steinke at 204-513-1563 to arrange a pickup or drop-off of non-perishable food, toiletries, diapers or grocery and hardware gift cards. Those who would like to make a monetary donation can e-transfer alia@wkndstylesco.ca with “Stonewall Flood Relief” in the message. Local businesses can reach her the same way.
“It’s easy, and it’s open for as long as families need it. And if you can’t give, simply sharing our posts on the Wknd Styles Co. Instagram or Facebook helps more than people realize. Every bit goes straight to the families,” said Steinke, expressing gratitude to everyone who has donated so far.
“This is all about getting our neighbours back on their feet. And to anyone reading who’s been thinking about starting something in their own community, don’t wait for permission. You don’t need to be a big organization to make a difference — sometimes you just need a few people willing to show up.”
In another example of community goodwill, hundreds of people came from near and far to help with sandbagging efforts in Stonewall on Friday evening to protect homes that were at further risk of flooding. Carloads of people from nearby Hutterite colonies as well as the Plymouth Brethren showed up to pitch in, along with church groups, Hydro workers, businesses and residents of Stonewall and nearby communities.
The Plymouth Brethren’s Rapid Relief Team brightened the day by providing food and drinks. They also delivered care packages to homes throughout town and offered to help people carry flood-drenched items up from their basements.
Other community members handed out gift cards to The Kiln and Tim Hortons, bringing much-needed smiles to the faces of weary residents.
In Balmoral, droves of people showed up to help remove carpet and clean up waterlogged items in the basement of the community hall. In addition, Madeline’s Closet has set up at the Balmoral Rec Centre to offer clothing to anyone who needs it. For more information or to volunteer, reach out to Shannon at 204-861-8336.
The Stony Mountain community also appreciated help from Hutterite colonies and Khalsa Aid, as well as many others who pitched in to help.
The Stony Mountain Community Centre welcomed people to drop by for a coffee and a snack, and they also had the chance to pick up donated grocery items.
Adding to the local efforts, the Stony Mountain United Church offered lunches, snacks and drinks, as well as clothing and household items at no charge.
“The donated items are all free, as is the food that people have donated for the community. We also have a growing selection of toys and books and some toiletries and paper products — like facial tissue, toothbrushes, toothpaste and some soap,” stated a Facebook post by the Stony Mountain-Lilyfield Pastoral Charge.
“Yesterday, some people just needed a place to come to relax for a bit and get out of their homes. Feel free to drop by and just visit with your neighbours and have a cool or hot drink! The outpouring of support is amazing! We are all in this together.”
