United DFC Update on Wildfires in Nova Scotia

May 31, 2023

Re: Update of Wildfires in Nova Scotia 

To Our United DFC Family, 

Our thoughts are with those families who have lost everything and are facing the challenge of rebuilding their lives, their homes and their communities. United DFC is here for those affected by the fires across Nova Scotia. This emergency is ongoing and is impacting tens of thousands of people in our province. Our emergency resources are stretched thin and our Firefighters, Police and Emergency crews are exhausted battling these fires. We are so grateful for all our First Responders.  

I have been in daily contact with our friends at Halifax County United to offer our clubs support. The HCU staff are preparing a needs assessment for their families that have been impacted and displaced by the fires. When the time comes we will put a call out to support HCU and those impacted by the fires to help gather household items including clothes, soccer gear, furniture, food, toiletries etc. Please understand that this emergency is ongoing and we do not have the capacity to start collecting and distributing donated items yet, but when the time comes we will be ready. 

As a club we have offered staff and resources to help HCU run the Soccer Drop in centre at BMO for those families who have been impacted and need childcare during the day. The need has been overwhelming and we grateful that we can support our friends at HCU by helping to provide this valuable service, 

Our Technical Staff have reached out to their colleagues at HCU to offer turf and share field space to allow HCU teams a safe place to play and practice. 

Our Mini Programs begin this coming weekend. We will be inviting HCU Mini players and their families to come and join our sessions in the event they are unable to access the field space due to the impacted areas. 

What can our club do today to help? 

• United Way Halifax has launched the United Way Wildfire Recovery Appeal to support communities impacted by the wildfires across Nova Scotia as they recover and rebuild.To make a financial contribution to the wildfire recovery appeal, visit unitedwayhalifax.ca and click on the “donate now” button.
• If you have household items that can be donated, please put them aside for when the time comes and the call goes out. 
• Follow all public safety alerts and  the Province-wide ban on open fires - Open fires are not permitted anywhere in the province. The ban applies to fires in provincial parks and private campgrounds. It also applies to backyard campfires, brush burning and fireworks.
• For more information on the HRM response to the Fire Emergencies please click here
• For more information on the Province of Nova Scotia emergency response please click here. 

Please stay safe and as always be kind to each other. 

David Campbell 

Executive Director 

United DFC