Account Login/Registration

Access KelownaNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

X-ray tech launches silent auction to help Lytton fire victims

It started off as a little Facebook silent auction to benefit the victims of the fire that destroyed Lytton.

"Initially, I was thinking: 'Let's raise $5,000.' But, based on the incredible number of donated auction items we've been getting, I'd say we're going to make a lot more," said organizer Randi Henschel.

</who>Randi Henschel, who worked as a x-ray technologist in Lytton in 2018-20, is organizing a silent auction on Facebook to benefit victims of the fire that destroyed Lytton on June 30.

The biggest donation so far is a three-night, all-inclusive stay at Echo Valley Ranch in Clinton valued at $8,850.

There's also a two-night stay at Spirit Ridge Resort in Osoyoos valued at $1,000, a Canadian Outback Rafting adventure worth $370 and a night at Black Rock Resort at Ucluelet on Vancouver Island.

The more than 100 other auction items cover the gamut from gift baskets and gift certificates for restaurants, spas and fitness facilities to clothing, jewelry, dog training and photography sessions.

All the items are already featured on the Silent Auction for Lytton Facebook page.

The auction runs from Friday at noon until Wednesday, July 28 at noon.

All proceeds from the auction will go to Lytton First Nation Chief Janet Webster for distribution for those that need it most.

</who>Echo Valley Ranch in Clinton has donated the biggest silent auction item -- a three-night, all-inclusive stay valued at $8,850.

When the Lytton Creek wildfire roared through June 30 it killed two, destroyed 90% of the structures in the village (population: 250) and left 700 Lytton First Nation members homeless from surrounding reserve lands.

This fundraiser is close to Henschel's heart because she worked as a x-ray technologist at Lytton Hospital from 2018-20.

"It was such a special, little community," she said.

"I want to do anything I can to try and give back to the community and help the residents in any way possible. I am so overwhelmed at the response I got from local businesses wanting to donate (for the silent auction). It really shows how we can all come together and make a difference."

Henschel recently returned to work at Aberdeen Ultrasound & X-ray in Kamloops after a maternity leave to have a daughter.

She's organized two previous successful silent auctions.

The first was in 2008, which raised $10,000 to benefit her niece, Livvy, who was battling cancer.

The second was in 2017 to raise $8,000 to put on the graduation ceremony that New Caledonian College in Prince George couldn't afford when Henschel finished up her x-ray tech course.

There are numerous other fundraisers to help those impacted by the Lytton fire for immediate aid like food, clothing and shelter and for the ultimate rebuilding of the village and reserve.

The Indigenous art collective Savage Society started a GoFundMe campaign that's raised $473,000 toward a $1 million goal.

Teal is donating lumber to help rebuild; the BC Muslim Association donated $35,450; Lytton First Nation member Dr. Rosalin has also started as a fundraiser; as has Melissa Charles of Chawathil First Nation; and the Red Cross has a general fundraiser to help those impacted by this season's BC wildfires.



If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.

If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.


Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to news@kelownanow.com.



Weather
webcam icon

weather-icon
Wed
17℃

weather-icon
Thu
14℃

weather-icon
Fri
14℃

weather-icon
Sat
18℃

weather-icon
Sun
17℃

weather-icon
Mon
16℃

current feed webcam icon

Recent Livestream




Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Linkedin Follow us on Youtube Listen on Soundcloud Follow Our TikTok Feed Follow Our RSS Follow Our pinterest Feed
Follow Our Newsletter
Privacy Policy