Fraser Lake, BC – The organizer of a drive to collect non-perishable food items for the 250 workers and their families left struggling in the wake of the explosion and fire that levelled the mill in Burns Lake says she’s thrilled with the donations received this first weekend.

Fraser Lake resident, Orlanthia Habsburg, says people stopped by the local Legion all weekend to drop off supplies.  Her goal is to fill the room from floor to ceiling by next Tuesday, February 7th and, so far, she estimates she has between two and three pick-up truckloads of goods.

Habsburg had hoped to have her seven-year-old son’s hockey team go door-to-door this weekend, but insurance concerns prevented that from happening.  However, she’s hopeful local high school students may be able to take on that task this coming week.  Nevertheless, she says community residents are finding their way to the hall with their donations.

Habsburg says her family donated what it could afford to the Lakes District Tragedy Fund, but she wanted to do more. Her husband is a logger who works in the bush and, fortunately, has not been affected by the abrupt closure of the Babine Forest Products sawmill.  Her young son is a figure skater who travels to Burns Lake three times a week for skating lessons.  She says she feels a strong connection to those affected.

As a family dependent on the forest industry, Habsburg says she’s learned to stock the family’s savings account and her pantry for break-up, but the families in Burns Lake did not have that opportunity.  "This donation drive was my only way of thinking to help them," says Habsburg, "Help them stock their cupboards until they have some money coming in again."

For more information about the donation drive Habsburgh has set up a Facebook page.