Friendship Centre closes wildfire donation drive after surge of support

The Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre has closed its donation drive for Ontario wildfire evacuees, saying staff must now focus on delivering the supplies residents have already given.

The centre’s Mandaaminaak Mental Health and Wellness Program collected clothing, hygiene products, diapers, blankets, baby items, traditional medicines and pet supplies at its office at 796 Buffalo Road.

The donations were bound for communities forced from their homes by fires in northwestern Ontario, including Namaygoosisagagun First Nation.

“We are so overwhelmed by the unity of our organizations and community,” the centre said in a Facebook post announcing the closure.

The centre thanked residents who dropped off items, requested pickups or gave money directly to the affected communities.

Ruffins Pet Centre in Port Colborne opened a second drop-off site for pet supplies during the drive.

Larger organizations that had already arranged donations with the centre will be contacted directly about those items.

Staff will now concentrate on moving the collected supplies to the drop-off sites serving the evacuated communities.

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