NEWS RELEASE
NORTH SIMCOE VICTIM SERVICES
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North Simcoe Victim Services (NSVS) continues to provide support and assistance to any business or individual directly affected by the recent fire tragedy in downtown Orillia.
Community members have been looking for a way to help support the victims of this tragedy, and in response, NSVS has set up a designated fund on our website in order to distribute additional funds and assistance to anyone in need of financial assistance or mental and emotional support.
If you wish to donate to the fund to help these victims in their immediate needs (i.e., electronics, household expenses, recovery of equipment for businesses, emergency accommodation, etc.), donors can go to our website, www.ns-vs.com, and find the “Downtown Orillia Fire Fund” button on the home page. All donations will receive a charitable tax receipt and 100 per cent of these funds will go towards the victims in our community. Donations can also be made in person at our office at 1 University Ave. by cheque or card, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information regarding donating to this fund, please contact development director Lynn Thomas at [email protected] or 705-826-1671.
If you have been directly affected by the fire, a confidential application form is on our home page to fill out to apply for support. After review of your application, one of our staff members will contact you with details of how to accept these funds, or resources. To speak to a staff member directly about these funds or our services, please contact executive director Kim Kneeshaw at [email protected] or 705-325-5578.
This event was very traumatic for the entire community and NSVS crisis responders will be here to support anyone in need of emotional and mental support to walk through steps to move forward in the aftermath of this tragic event. Please contact our staff at 705-325-5578 if you wish to speak to someone.
Fire Chief Chris Ferry oversaw the fire and has first-hand knowledge of how this tragedy affected the victims both as the emergency manager and as an NSVS board member.
“The recent fire in downtown Orillia has deeply affected our community and we appreciate all the organizations that are dedicated to ensuring those impacted have access to the supports and the resources they need.”
Thank you to the community members and organizations who have been partnering with NSVS to assist these victims. Our Lake Country region is remarkably supportive and resilient.
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