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Concordians lend a hand for flood relief

Forty-four volunteers from Concordia and McGill pitch in to help clean up Quebec's Richelieu Valley.
June 21, 2011
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By Russ Cooper


Forty-four people from Concordia and McGill made the journey — in a bus provided by Concordia’s Facilities Management — to the town of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu to help cleanup efforts following the floods that devastated the region this spring.

Volunteers help remove sandbags protecting houses from receding floodwaters in the town of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. | Photos courtesy of Concordia Emergency Management
Concordia’s Emergency Preparedness Assistant Corey Lemm (left) was among the 29 volunteers from Concordia who took part in the SOS Richelieu flood relief effort. | Photos courtesy of Concordia Emergency Management

“It’s remarkably encouraging to experience such a sense of social responsibility and a willingness to take action to help our neighbours,” says Darren Dumoulin, Concordia Emergency Management Senior Advisor.

Dumoulin says more than 90 people from the Concordia and McGill communities contacted him to join the volunteer efforts. Twenty-nine Concordia volunteers made the trek to the Richelieu Valley.

Many of those who could not get a seat on the bus contacted volunteer relief organization SOS Richelieu or the Red Cross directly at Dumoulin’s suggestion.

Concordia’s Emergency Preparedness Assistant Corey Lemm (left) was among the 29 volunteers from Concordia who took part in the SOS Richelieu flood relief effort.
Volunteers help remove sandbags protecting houses from receding floodwaters in the town of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

Co-ordinated by SOS Richelieu, the June 11 weekend cleanup endeavour attracted more than 3,500 people. The next weekend brought 1,000 volunteers to the region.

“No one wishes for a disaster, but it is humbling and reassuring to see that there are so many good people,” says Dumoulin, who also salutes Concordia Hospitality for providing water and lunches. “Well done to every single person who helped.”

Linda Bowes, Program Secretary and Academic Advisor at the Simone de Beauvoir Institute, joined in the flood relief effort on June 11.
Linda Bowes, Program Secretary and Academic Advisor at the Simone de Beauvoir Institute, joined in the flood relief effort on June 11.


Related links:
•    Concordia University Office of Emergency Management on Facebook
•    SOS Richelieu
•    “In Search of Volunteers for Flood Relief” - NOW, May 27, 2011
•    “Cleanup Underway in Quebec Flood Zone” - CBC News, June 11, 2011
•    “Coup de main après le coup dur” - La Presse, June 11, 2011
•    L’arrivée des bénévoles redonne espoir - Canoe.ca, June 12, 2011 



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