Despite dealing with a lack of power themselves, volunteers across the South Shore are providing comfort for neighbours in need.
Hebbs Cross Fire Department’s auxiliary group has had their hall open since Christmas Day.
Margaret Sarty-Doucette, president of the auxiliary says she’s barely gone home, worried she’ll miss someone.
She and her fellow volunteers have also gone door to door to check on people, particularly seniors.
“We’re not just here for our own district, we’re here for anyone who wants to come,” says Sarty-Doucette. If they have no power, we’re here for them.”
Sarty-Doucette says the volunteers helped host a family’s holiday meal on Boxing Day.
“We had a family from back the road, they were supposed to have their Christmas dinner, they had family home from Calgary … and she was all upset so I said ‘bring your turkey and your ham out to the hall, put it in the oven, I’ll keep an eye on it.’”
Although Nova Scotia Power has most customers online, Sarty-Doucette is starting to think about feeding locals in case power isn’t restored.
If that’s the case, she’ll go out to get food to cook this evening.
The group encourages anyone who needs to use their facilities to come by, whether you’re from the area or not.
Fire halls across the region are acting as comfort centres including the following spaces:
– Hebbs Cross fire department – 77 Camperdown Eoad
– Mill Village Fire Department — 38 Medway River Road
– Nova Scotia Power community depot – Shelburne — 261 Ohio Rd
LCLC is also offering showers to those who need them.