One of my grandsons lives in Edmonton and I’m so proud of him.
He has organized a pick-up truck load of disposable diapers to help mothers with babies who could only get out of Fort MacMurray with a few things they have managed to save from the wildfires there.
He and his wife have a new baby, so he knows the need for clean diapers and he manages a depot that handles such things. What a practical and thoughtful gift to people in such terrible distress.
Because I have no way of helping them myself, I’m giving money to the Red Cross. The Red Cross has always been there to help when things are bad and is doing wonderful things now for those unhappy people.
I think now of my long-dead dear mother and how she worked so hard for the Red Cross during the Second World War. She had dozens of airmen over for home cooked meals, to remind them of their own distant mothers.
She was only 62 when she had a heart attack and died. I imagine her sitting on God’s right side, handing Him a thank you note from some happy woman for allowing her precious son to survive.
There doesn’t seem a lot we can do, living so far away from Fort MacMurray — so the answer is probably to give money to the Red Cross, which does seem able to do great things to help. So please, even if it’s only a small amount, do give something to help your fellow Canadians in their time of deep distress.
The Red Cross has a wonderfully efficient way of handling disasters. They always seem to be able to respond quickly no matter what has happened and you know, if they are involved, the money will go where you have asked them to send it — where it will do the most good for a desperate group of people. You know if it is the Red Cross handling your money it is safe. No scams to be found when it is the Red Cross and they are able to do wonderful things with the money you donate, no matter how little you can afford to give (and you’ll feel so pleased that you have been able to help your fellow Canadians when they are in such deep trouble. Good for you, you splendid caring folks!).
Gardening, gardening, gardening!
Now this is a gardening column!
We are planting seeds of mercy and caring ... may they grow strong and tall and healthy, like the people we want to help.
If you have a computer, punch in redcross.ca for Fort MacMurray and they will tell you how to donate.
Meanwhle I’ll talk to one or more of the banks who should be willing and able to handle donations so that they reach the Red Cross.
This situation isn’t going away any time soon, so there’s no panic to donate to-day. Tomorrow will be fine!
Thanks for anything you feel able to do!
Helen Lang has been the Peninsula News Review’s garden columnist for more than 30 years.