HERE WHEN IT COUNTS.
In response to the November 2021 floods, the Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF), the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce and the University of the Fraser Valley jointly established the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund. This fund is currently supporting front-line agencies providing essential services to affected families and businesses.
Fundraising coalition led by:
Update: November 2022
The local disaster and community response efforts we witnessed in late 2021 were truly remarkable. We are just passed the one year anniversary of this catastrophic event. Donors and grant recipients gathered together on November 15th, 2022 at the University of the Fraser Valley, to hear stories and celebrate the small victories our community has made.
We heard from Alison Arends, the owner of Crossroads Dairy Farm in Abbotsford, as she spoke from the heart about what it truly was like over the six weeks and more following the flooding. Her property became a place of refuge for others to temporarily move their cows and be served a hot meal.
She said that the community outpouring of love was incredible. “I phoned to different restaurants in the area and they showed up with hot meals for everyone. There was never a shortage of warm food to eat.” Arends received two grants from the Chamber stream and one through Gateway church.
“There was a lot of activity and a lot of different hired hands helping around the clock. Even though things have improved, there is still a lot of clean-up to do and the situation is still not very good for many people,” she said.
Milt Walker, who led aid distribution at Gateway Church in Abbotsford, also spoke on his experience during the time of the floods.
“We recognized that when people rebuilt their homes, they were going to have to buy new furniture and new appliances. We made an appeal to the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund, and they were there within a matter of days to support us,”
Walker said. Milt told stories of over 60 Gateway Church families being displaced and affected by the floods, many of these families still stepped up and volunteered their time and efforts to others in need. To date, Gateway Church has provided over 100 affected farmers on Sumas Prairie over $650,000 in financial aid through the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund grants.
A recovery like this is a marathon, not a sprint, and every dollar will go to maximize impact. That impact will be felt long after the emergent needs are exposed and the news crews have left town. Even today, some families have not yet returned to this homes. All funds raised by the Abbotsford Disaster Relief fund are going to the flood affected members of our community. One year later, the recovery process is not complete. Full restoration of the community will take time. Along the way, we will continue to identify and fill the gaps where needed. Thank you to all who have donated and supported the ADRF. We will continue to accept donations via our online donation portal. Read our most recent blog story here.
Are you a registered charity actively supporting the flood affected members of our community and looking to apply for a grant? Find out more information to see if you are eligible. Applications are being reviewed by the ACF Grants Committee weekly.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Watch a video from the Province of BC below which features Nav Bains, son of Satwinder Bains, who is a Director on the ACF Board and also a member of our Agricultural Grants Committee.
All grants will be administered by the Abbotsford Community Foundation. Ongoing needs assessment is underway to determine the areas of greatest need as the community recovers from this disaster.
If you wish to donate by cheque, please make the cheque payable to the Abbotsford Community Foundation and note the “Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund” in the memo, and mail the cheque to the following address:
Abbotsford Community Foundation
Attn: Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund
201 – 2890 Garden Street
Abbotsford, BC V2T 4W7
A tax receipt will be sent to you upon receipt and processing of your donation. Please include your email address if you would like your receipt emailed.