EDITORIAL: Stepping up

When the community is in trouble, this city’s residents step up.

Evidence of that came immediately after flood waters damaged numerous homes across Thunder Bay. Residents, many via Facebook, were quick to offer their time, money and much needed supplies.
And it didn’t stop there.

Dougall Media organized a 12-hour fundraising broadcast that took place last week at the Intercity Shopping Centre.

Organizers began the event with hopes that 103.5 The Thunder, 91.5 CKPR and Rock94 could collectively help raise $10,000 for the Salvation Army.

Local businesses and residents alike dug deep, and were able to prove that the original $10,000 goal was modest. The Salvation Army was instead given more than $250,000 to help uninsured flood victims.

Sadly, not all residents responded to the local disaster positively.

Reports of looting, vandalism and items disappearing from flood damaged properties all served as an ugly reminder that some see other people’s tragedy as an opportunity for personal gain.

Thankfully, those reports are few and far between.

Meanwhile, stories about honest citizens coming together to help their neighbours haven’t been so rare. And those stories are what we should remember years from now when we look back on the flood of 2012.