Even as the drought crisis in the Horn of Africa deepens, big-hearted residents of Oceanside are ramping up their efforts to help.
The result to date, said Shannon Wiley, has been impressive.
Wiley is one of the key organizers of the upcoming yard sale for African relief, slated to be held Sunday at the Christian Fellowship Centre in Qualicum Beach.
“It’s been crazy,” she said. “The response from the community has been amazing. People are responding to this desperate situation and we are overwhelmed by the generosity of this community.”
Wiley said reports coming in from Somalia indicate there might be no rain there until February of 2012, meaning the crisis will only get worse.
To this end, she said, volunteers are redoubling their efforts to get donations for their event, and the community is coming through with some remarkable items.
“Someone gave us 12 pairs of brand new Birkenstocks,” she said. “We’ve got spa treatments, beautiful art, a year’s worth of water, There will be at least 50 or 60 tables full of stuff — and the quality is top notch. We’ve been shocked at what’s coming in.”
All monies raised, she said, will be split between World Vision and the Canadian Good Grains Bank.
“The CFGB is matching four dollars to one, and the Canadian government is also matching until September 13,” she said. “This way as well we get to work with Canadian farmers.”
Doors open at 10 a.m. and the sale wraps up at 3 p.m. at the Christian Fellowship Centre.