The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Northern Manitoba has again lived up to its reputation as a openhanded region, donating about $15,000 to residents of a small B.C. town devastated by a forest fire. That's how much was raised last week for the people of Louis Creek, B.C. during a pledge drive that aired on radio stations in Flin Flon, The Pas and Thompson. "I was impressed. I thought it was a really good number," said Barb Scheschuk, manager of CJ-1240 in The Pas and coordinator of the pledge drive. Last month, a forest fire destroyed the Tolko sawmill operation in Louis Creek, putting about 350 people at the town's main employer out of work. "Apparently, a lot of the people didn't have insurance," said Scheschuk. "A lot of them lost their jobs and their homes." See 'Fundraiser' P.# Con't from P.# The Pas Mayor Gary Hopper, who was aware of the fire damage, approached Scheschuk about a radio fundraiser for the residents. As mayor of a town whose lifeblood is the logging industry, Hopper could sympathize. The three stations across the Arctic Radio Network agreed to donate two hours of air time last Friday morning for the pledge drive. Guests during the broadcast included the mayors from all three communities as well as a businessman in the Louis Creek area. Scheschuk noted that donations are still coming in. Anyone wishing to donate may do so at any Scotiabank outlet in Flin Flon, The Pas or Thompson. Tolko recently announced that its Louis Creek sawmill operation was completely destroyed by a forest fire that began near McClure, BC. All employees were evacuated safely. Tolko spokesperson Mike Harkies said in a news release that the company "won't be able to address any future plans for the Louis Creek facility until we can access the site with our insurers and our senior management team."
