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Volunteers help after own home was destroyed by wildfire

Debra and Murray Roed volunteered at the evacuation centre in Kelowna to give back to the community
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Evacuation centre volunteers Murray and Debra Roed stand outside of their home on Silver Place. Their home was destroyed by wildfire in 2003. - Credit: Carli Berry/Capital News

In 2003, Debra Roed香蕉视频直播檚 home was on the front page of the newspaper.

Her orange flowers in the front yard were dried to a crisp in the photo, after wildfire destroyed her home.

This time around, as emergency crews battle the Joe Rich wildfire, which at its peak caused an evacuation of more than 1,000 people, Debra and her husband Murray Roed volunteered at the Willow Park Church evacuation centre to give back to the community that treated her so well when she was a wildfire evacuee.

香蕉视频直播淲hat drew me to do it was that I wanted to help and give back because so many people in the community did that for us, but until now I don香蕉视频直播檛 think I was able to emotionally,香蕉视频直播 she said.

She volunteered for three days, helping evacuees register and hearing their stories.

香蕉视频直播淔or me it was more of an emotional thing,香蕉视频直播 she said. Hearing the stories was the hardest part for Debra, as it brought back memories of losing her home.

The constant smoke, helicopters carrying buckets and airplanes circling nearby also cause anxiety.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 sure everyone who香蕉视频直播檚 been through it, they see a helicopter go by, they hear it. They hear those small planes, they see the buckets. It really does come to the forefront of your mind, the anxiety and angst that you香蕉视频直播檝e gone through,香蕉视频直播 said Debra.

She香蕉视频直播檚 not the only one, her friends also associate the helicopters with memories of previous wildfires and evacuations.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 the concern and worry about the people around you,香蕉视频直播 she said.

Volunteering at the centre allowed Debra to talk about her experiences and share them with others.

香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檝e gone through what we went through,香蕉视频直播 she said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 heartbreaking.香蕉视频直播

She lived in her home in Crawford Estates for a year and a half with Murray and her two young daughters, nine and 11 at the time, before it was ravaged by wildfire.

When she received help from the evacuation centre, she said 香蕉视频直播渆verybody we spoke with were awesome. They were genuine and they cared.香蕉视频直播

Debra wanted to thank all the volunteers at the evacuation centre who have been working tirelessly to provide evacuees with resources.

She now lives with Murray in their home on Silver Place.





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