Prince George, B.C.- Starting Saturday, a major donation push for non perishable goods, will get underway at  the Fraser Lake Legion. It is an effort to help the families of workers who suddenly find themselves without a job in the wake of the deadly blast and fire at the Babine Forest Products sawmill.  The organizers are hoping to fill the Legion from floor to ceiling with non perishable food items and toiletries. 

 

It is not the only charitable effort underway to assist those in need.

 

A Lakes District Tragedy Fund has also been set up to collect cash donations. Those donations can be made through any branch of the CIBC in British Columbia.

 

The union  which represents the workers of the Babine Forest Products mill, has  put a call out to all United Steelworker Union locals to make a donation through their payroll deduction to help those who have been affected by last Friday’s fatal blast.

 

Meantime, investigators continue to look for a cause for the blast and fire.

 

The Province has announced it will have the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation taking the lead on developing an economic recovery plan for Burns Lake. Minister Pat Bell will be in Burns Lake this Friday to meet with local leaders and organizations.

 

The Mayor Burns Lake, Luke Strimbold, is hopeful the first step for his community’s recovery, will be to have a secure timber supply, that will be critical says Strimbold, if the community is to attract investors, or if the mill is to be rebuilt.