Offers Pour In To Help Those Displaced By Queen Fire
Posted February 22, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
“I have always relied on the kindness of strangers.”
It’s one of the most famous lines from the Tennessee Williams play “A Streetcar Named Desire” and it comes from Blanche DuBois.
But now it seems that it should really apply to the residents displaced by Wednesday’s blazing inferno at Queen and Bathurst.
While a trust fund has been established to try and raise money to help those who lost everything, others are coming forward with donations to aid people facing the worst crisis of their lives.
Here’s a small sample of their generosity.
The Fairmont Royal York Hotel has offered up 10 rooms free for several days while the homeless seek a new address.
The Drake Hotel is also allowing victims a temporary stay, offering them a free breakfast and dinner.
The CN Tower is telling those who lost their livelihood to apply for a job. If they qualify, they may be able to land a paying position until their old business reopens. “In addition to a competitive salary, we offer seasonal work which might be helpful for those individuals who would like to return to their former employer should they become re-established,” an email sent to CityNews reads.
A Queen St. soap store is putting basic essentials – like shaving cream and shampoo – into packages for those without any toiletries.
The owner of an eyeware boutique is willing to replace any glasses lost to the flames for free.
A lingerie store wants to donate women’s pajamas, robes, underwear and bras to females who lost all their delicates.
And DaZone, a store at 468 Queen St. W. not far from the fire scene, is offering to take in donated clothing, footwear, toques and blankets and make sure it gets to the people who could use a little warmth right now. The donations will be accepted until Wednesday.
