{"id":72,"date":"2023-09-25T14:24:36","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T14:24:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cbdcambitions.ca\/?page_id=72"},"modified":"2024-04-19T12:24:00","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T12:24:00","slug":"nova-scotia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cbdcambitions.ca\/nova-scotia\/","title":{"rendered":"Nova Scotia"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\u201dIt\u2019s difficult to drive through our communities, seeing constant reminders of the devastation from the wildfire,\u201d Warden Penny Smith says. \u201cWhile it takes time to rebuild, the support for our families, friends and neighbours is unwavering.\u201d<\/p>

At the end of May, wildfires swept through Shelburne County, burning about 23,379 hectares of land. As a result, about 50 per cent of Shelburne County was evacuated \u2013 approximately 6,700 people. A state of emergency was declared and 60 homes were lost in the fires, with many more sustaining serious damage.<\/p>

Beyond local fire departments, 67 fire departments were called in to take shifts to help control the blaze. Water bombers from Newfoundland and the United States were brought in to help out as well.<\/p>

Heidi Wagner, Executive Director of CBDC Shelburne and a local municipal councillor, knew she had to do everything in her power to help her community. The small but mighty team at the CBDC office in Shelburne closed their doors to go out into their community and help those in need.<\/p>

\u201cWhen the call came out \u2013 we\u2019re only a small staff of three \u2013 we decided that we could help, by going to assist in making the meals, serving the breakfasts, preparing foods, getting lunch boxes made, that sort of thing.<\/p>

\u201cHalf the businesses in Shelburne shut down,\u201d Heidi sighs. \u201cSupport calls came in to the CBDC \u2013 people were asking if anything was needed \u2013 donations, volunteers. We\u2019d go back and forth, checking the office phones every few hours to make sure we were available if our clients needed us. We did that for about 11 days.\u201d<\/p>

On July 26th, the largest wildfire in Nova Scotia\u2019s history was declared officially out and fire department crews returned home.<\/p>

\u201cInitially, I\u2019d seen the smoke come up off the 103,\u201d EMO Coordinator Mike Shand remembers. \u201cShortly thereafter, we got a mutual aid call. That\u2019s when we realized the scope of what this was \u2026 it grew incredibly fast in 24 hours. I\u2019ve never seen anything like this.\u201d<\/p>

While the intensity and duration of the fires sent shockwaves through the community, there was something else that came as a surprise during the crisis.<\/p>

\u201cIt was quite overwhelming,\u201d Warden Penny Smith says. \u201cThe level of love and support was pretty amazing.\u201d<\/p>

In the face of a devastating emergency that drove many from their homes and businesses, Shelburne County and surrounding communities quickly rallied to volunteer, donate and ensure displaced folks had places to stay and three square meals a day.<\/p>

\u201cThe community really came together,\u201d Heidi recalls. \u201cWithin 24 hours, we were up and running. We delivered more than 300 meals a day. It was all donation driven \u2013 and always good, hearty meals \u2013 fish cakes, stews. We even got donations of $3,000 in gift cards to buy food!\u201d A meal distribution centre was set up at the Birchtown Community Centre and a group of volunteers gathered at 7am and stayed until 9pm.<\/p>

Mike was blown away by the level of support Shelburne County received during that time. \u201cThe volume of volunteers that came in was unbelievable – from Red Cross to the surrounding community,\u201d he says. \u201cA guy drove down from Cape Breton with a van load of water. People from everywhere – just regular people – were helping out.\u201d<\/p>

Volunteers at the community centre served meals to displaced locals, as well as firefighters and first responders working tirelessly to put out the fires. Cooke Aquaculture also pitched in, donating seafood to feed those in need along with Clearwater Seafoods.<\/p>

In the aftermath of the Shelburne wildfires, as the smoke cleared and the ashes settled, it was the resilient spirit of community and the unwavering support of organizations like CBDC that served as the beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards recovery and renewal.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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(L to R) <\/b>\u00a0Officer Brian Green and Shelburne CBDC ED Heidi Wagner. Kim Walker, Heidi Wagner (CBDC), Warden Penny Smith (MDOS), Mark Townsend (ACOA), Leah Weir, Laura Torak, Larry Walker. Alden Stephens (Clearwater Seafoods), Mark Townsend (ACOA), Heidi Wagner (CBDC), and Errol Wagner (Clearwater Seafoods).\u00a0 Birchtown Community Centre volunteers prepared and served over 300 meals per day to the front line fire fighters and emergency services from many detachments throughout Nova Scotia.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\u201cSupport calls came in to the CBDC \u2013 people were asking if anything was needed \u2013 donations, volunteers.\"<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Heidi Wagner,
Executive Director of CBDC Shelburne<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Ambitions is a publication of the Atlantic Association of CBDCs intended to promote and celebrate small business and entrepreneurial success in the communities we serve.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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