As support continued to pour in, Gail Kromm was overwhelmed by the community response to Thunder Bay flood victims.
After 6 p.m. p.m. Thursday, more than $249,000 had come in through Dougall Media’s 12-hour broadcast marathon at Intercity Shopping Centre, an initiative that started with much more modest expectations.
“We started out with a $10,000 goal, so we’ve sort of blown that one out of the water,” said Kromm, a Salvation Army spokeswoman.
“It’s incredible. There’s been a steady line up for the past hour-and-a-half.”
Radio stations including 103.5 The Thunder, 91.5 CKPR and Rock94 have been broadcasting live from the mall since 6 a.m. and will continue until 6 p.m.
Radio listeners are being encouraged to come to the live broadcast and make monetary donations to the Salvation Army, which is supplying assistance to those in immediate need.
The need for help in the community right now is desperate and there are many people affected by Monday’s flooding that don’t have insurance to cover the damages sustained, said Kromm.
“Those are the ones that are being hardest hit,” Kromm said. “Those are some of the most vulnerable and marginalized people in our community. This is going to help them out in a big way.”
Some area businesses made large donations and others have come on board by supplying water or hosting food drives.
Thunder Bay is a generous community, which Kromm said they’ve seen time and time again.
“We ask them to support this project and that project and they are there for it,” she said, adding the flooding has hit close to home for most of the city.
“I bet there isn’t one person in this city that doesn’t know someone that’s been affected by this,” she said. “Those of us who haven’t been hit, we’re thankful and want to help out.”
But what has also surprised Kromm is the amount of people affected directly by the flooding who have also come out to donate.
“That is truly amazing,” she said.
Denise Krawczuk came to the event Thursday morning to donate because she felt she needed to help out in some way.
“I didn’t know how and this was a perfect opportunity,” she said. “This is just awesome.”
Krawczuk said her heart goes out to the people who have lost belongings in the flood.
“Thunder Bay always rises to the occasion for other areas but people should really help our own. This is our backyard,” she said.
On Twitter: @JodiL_reporter
