June 5, 2015
LCBO employees and customers have answered the call to support those individuals whose lives have been devastated by the earthquake in Nepal, by making donations to the Canadian Red Cross “Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund”. From May 1 – 25, more than $556,027 was donated at LCBO stores across the province to support ongoing humanitarian assistance in earthquake-affected communities.
During that period, the Government of Canada also matched $475,225.91 of LCBO in-store donations by individual Canadians to further help with relief efforts. Of the $556, 027 grand total, the prompted donations generated $514,294 and the donation boxes raised $41,733.
“Staff and delegates in Canada and in the field have been working tirelessly to ensure we are delivering the best possible care to those in Nepal affected by these devastating earthquakes. It is the support of the Canadian people that has made such a swift reaction possible, and the response from LCBO staff and customers has been astounding,” says Conrad Sauvé, President and CEO, Canadian Red Cross. “To date, more than $16.5 million dollars has been raised across Canada for Nepal relief efforts. The contribution made by the LCBO will bring this number up to nearly $17.5 million.”
The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck near Kathmandu, Nepal, caused widespread devastation and resulted in immediate humanitarian needs for people in the region. Red Cross teams are on the ground providing assistance, and so far, more than 26 Canadians have been deployed with our field hospital, and more than 880 patients have been treated. The field hospital is supporting primarily maternal and surgical procedures, but has also been treating ailments such as acute respiratory infections, infections, diarrhea, broken bones, skin diseases and severe cuts.
“LCBO customers and staff have a long history of giving generously to help those in need,” says Rick Redwood, Northern Regional Director and Chair, Community Involvement & Fundraising working group. “We are proud to partner with the Canadian Red Cross and help these communities rebuild and recover from the recent earthquake in Nepal.”
In the coming months and years, the focus of the Canadian Red Cross will be reaching the 700,000 survivors, providing support in a number of areas including emergency shelter and support for rebuilding homes; food and non-food relief; cash distributions; livelihoods support; clean water and improved sanitation; basic healthcare services and psychosocial support.
