[LabComm] BCTF Forest Fire Relief Fund launched today

[Nancy Knickerbocker]

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate 
release                                                           Tuesday 
September 2, 2003

BCTF Forest Fire Relief Fund aims to help students and teachers


Like all British Columbians, teachers have been horrified to see the 
catastrophic forest fires raging throughout our  province this summer, 
threatening so many homes and communities.

"Teachers want to do all we can to help our colleagues, students and their 
families during this terrible time," said BCTF President Neil Worboys. 
"Through our Federation, we are launching a Forest Fire Relief Fund for 
both students and teachers affected by the fires."

The BCTF is kicking off the fund with an initial contribution of $125,000.

"To help that sum grow, we're encouraging local teacher associations, 
individual members and retired teachers also to contribute," Worboys said. 
"We've already heard about many creative fund-raising efforts teachers are 
launching in their communities, and I have no doubt other activities will 
be planned once everyone's back to school."

The fund will be used to offer a gift of $200 for each student affected by 
the forest fires to help purchase school supplies and the many other 
necessities at this time of year.

"Students and their families face extremely high expenses this month, 
especially with the cost of school supplies and course fees going up all 
the time," Worboys said. "We'll be setting up support committees in the 
fire-stricken communities to help parents of the thousands of affected 
students to access the fund."

The BCTF Forest Fire Relief Fund also provides grants of $5,000 for 
teachers who have lost their homes to fire and $1,000 for those who were 
evacuated due to a forest fire threat.

"It's an old saying in the union movement that 'an injury to one is an 
injury to all'," Worboys said. "We're trying to express that support and 
solidarity with our colleagues and students who have been hurt by these 
disastrous fires." This week Worboys will be travelling to several of  the 
fire-affected areas to meet with teachers, students, and parents.

Teachers will also be working with parents and other community members to 
help children overcome the trauma of losing their homes or being uprooted 
during such a frightening experience. Members of the B.C. School 
Counsellors' Association and the BCTF Social Justice Advisory Committee 
have prepared tips for parents and teachers to support children as they 
deal with the impact of the fires. They will be posted on the BCTF website 
at: www.bctf.ca/

Donations to the BCTF Forest Fire Relief Fund are welcome:
550 West 6th Avenue,
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4P2
Attention: Rob McLaren, Treasurer

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For more information, please call Nancy Knickerbocker, BCTF media relations 
officer, at 604-871-1881 (office) or 604-250-6775 (cell).

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"The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great 
moral crisis, maintain their neutrality." Dante, 1265-1321

Nancy Knickerbocker
BCTF media relations officer
Office: 604-871-1881
Cell:   604-250-6775
Toll free: 1-800-663-9163