A monument dedicated to the many volunteers who helped out during the 2017 wildfire evacuations was unveiled by the TNRD today.
Dozens of volunteers and politicians gathered for the unveiling of the “Lend a Hand” monument outside the Sandman Centre, which housed thousands of evacuees during that fire season.
One of the designers Lee-Anne Chisolm says she is happy with how the $100,000 sculpture turned out.
“To have it installed just before volunteer week is perfect timing, and on this site where so many evacuees had come to, this is a great location,” she said.
TNRD Board Chair Ken Gillis praised the many volunteers who helped over 11,000 evacuees in Kamloops that year, many from outside the TNRD.
He recalled discussions at the TNRD board how he wanted the monument to be one that people could see and touch for
“There will be a cost no doubt, we’ll hear about it. But I think it’s well worth it,” he added. “We needed something that is timeless.”
“Volunteers played an integral role in supporting those who were impacted, and we are so very appreciative.”
Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian says a better location could not have been picked, “ground zero” near the Sandman Centre.
Gillis pointed out that volunteers in the area put in over 100,000 hours of service in 2017, with many pulling 16 hour shifts to help the evacuees that came to Kamloops.
“It’s a concrete base and the base has an imprint of forests representing the imprint that the wildfires left of all of us,” said designer Aaron Harder. “On the top of the base is a series of concrete hands hoisting up a large stainless maple leaf.”
“Inside the maple leaf is silhouettes of people that represent the evacuees and how they are lifted up by the volunteers.
Both Chisolm and Harder say the piece is an expression of support for the kindness shown in helping fellow neighbours in need.
.@TNRD chair Ken Gillis speaking ahead of the unveiling of a monument to commemorate volunteers during the 2017 wildfire season.
11,000 evacuees from all over BC housed in #Kamloops that year.@RadioNLNews pic.twitter.com/1F04IwOYHu
— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) April 12, 2019
And a video reveal of the ‘Lend a Hand’ monument outside Sandman Centre as promised.#Kamloops @RadioNLNews pic.twitter.com/3PdVA2qb4S
— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) April 12, 2019