Firefighters, RCMP officers, and volunteers gathered to help draw attention and collect donations after the Langley Senior Resources Society suffered a devastating flood in January.
The centre on 51B Avenue in Langley City hosted a drive-thru donation day on Friday, Feb. 2, encouraging people to swing through the circular driveway and drop off some money to help with repairs.
On Jan. 15, in the middle of the severe cold snap, a pipe in the building’s fire sprinkler system burst and soaked everything in the snooker room. Water flowed into multiple other rooms, causing damage to floors in several parts of the building.
Staff and volunteers, with the help of Langley City firefighters and restoration companies, had the centre up and running again within days, albeit with various programs and events moved around, as some areas of the building are still closed off behind tarps.
But the non-profit society is also facing a significant bill. There’s at least a $50,000 insurance deductible that will have to be paid.
The drive-thru day is the first of two fundraisers that are aimed at helping to raise funds for the repairs. The other is an upcoming Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day event, including lunch and musical entertainment.
“We’re having a flurry of activity,” said Kate Ludlam, the society’s executive director, as people pulled in and cars honked their horns around 10:30 a.m. on Friday.
There was no specific goal for the fundraiser, but she was hoping to hit $25,000, if possible.
READ ALSO: Community helps Langley seniors centre recover from flood
Donations came in all sizes and from all ages.
Bill Dunstall came by and noticed the signs and stopped to give a donation and accept a cookie and coffee.
He said he only comes to the centre occasionally.
“I’m 80 but I’m not old,” Dunstall said. But when he heard about the flood, he wanted to help out.
At the other end of the age spectrum was Jaxon Dacosta, nine, a Blacklock Elementary student who was passing with his mother Raena Phelps and wanted to help out.
He got a chance to sit in a firetruck after he dropped off his donation.
While donations were coming in at the centre, another local organization was announcing it would help out.
Rock Step Swing Dance said its Swing Shift Anniversary event would be dedicated to raising funds to help the Langley Senior Resources Society in its recovery efforts.
The Friday, Feb. 9 dancing event takes place 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Murrayville Community Memorial Hall at 21667 48th Ave. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, and can be bought at www.rockstepswingdance.ca.
While donations were being collected out front, work was still going on inside.
“We found three more leaks [Wednesday],” said Ludlam.
There was no time yet on how long repairs would take, or what would be done first. Flooring and washrooms and ceilings were all damaged, in addition to the pipes.
The building, constructed in 1989, is showing its age, noted Ludlam.
