The New Pathways to Gold Society (NPTGS) is donating $500 towards relief for communities along the Gold Rush/Spirit Trails corridor affected by B.C.’s wildfires.

The Society is giving $250 to the Canadian Red Cross British Columbia Fires Appeal Fund and $250 towards Theatre Royal’s benefit tour of communities impacted by the fires.

“We all have to pull together to help the communities in our historic corridor that have suffered because of this unprecedented fire situation,” said Raymond.

“The New Pathways to Gold Society has worked with communities for 10 years to overcome obstacles and we’ll continue to do so in the face of this challenge.”

Communities from Cache Creek to Quesnel and elsewhere along the corridor – the heritage heartland of B.C. – have been hit hard. Thousands have been forced from their homes and dozens of houses and other buildings have been lost.

The benefit tour by Barkerville’s Theatre Royal is hoping to bring some much-needed relief in the form of laughter and music to evacuees and families affected by the flames and maybe even give some of the emergency crews fighting the fires a break.

“As performers we feel the best way that we can help during hard times is to entertain,” said Richard Wright, Theatre Royal’s artistic director.

“Our thanks to the New Pathways to Gold Society for this donation, which will help us to keep giving these performances for free.”

Theatre Royal’s troupe staged their first benefit performance of “Mrs. McGinley’s Gold Rush Variety Show” on July 23 at the outdoor theatre in LeBourdais Park, Quesnel to a crowd of about 300 people. Wright says more performances are being planned.

There are currently 125 wildfires burning in B.C. Thousands of hectares have been burned. A state of emergency was declared in the B.C. Interior on July 8 and was recently extended.

Raymond said money donated to the Canadian Red Cross British Columbia Fires Appeal Fund will help provide immediate relief such as cots, blankets, family reunification as well as financial assistance so individuals and families can get the food, clothing and shelter. To donate, visit the Canadian Red Cross website.

NPTGS is a non-profit organization committed to developing local economies in the Hope to Barkerville corridor through heritage tourism development, First Nations reconciliation and Multiculturalism.