Mayor and Community Help Fire Victims

If anybody visiting this site knows the Giani Ji from Williams Lake, or lives in Williams Lake, please e-mail us at sikhyouth@shaw.ca with any updates and if the Sikh youth can provide any assistance with Guru ji’s kirpa.

Vaheguru ji ka khalsa,
Vaheguru ji ki fatheh!

Mayor Scott Nelson, Coun. Ed Mead, MP Dick Harris and former city councillor Debbie DeMare were all in attendance as guests in the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple last Sunday, December 18, as priest Partap Singh conducted the weekly service.

Just last Tuesday, December 13, the priest’s house next door to the temple went up in smoke after a block heater in a vehicle plugged into the house caught fire. Partap Singh and his family, 13-year residents of the city, lost everything in the fire.

Following the service, Mayor Nelson was first to speak to the congregation. He announced he had personally helped raise $1,500 for a relief fund for the priest’s family.

“This is to help you start out,” Nelson said. “Thankfully nobody was hurt in the fire.

He described the support from people outside the Sikh community as “real building blocks of the greater community.”

Speaking on behalf of the temple congregation, Gurbux Saini commended the entire community for standing together during a time of great difficulty. He had particular words of praise for the Williams Lake firefighters who he said risked their lives while braving freezing temperatures at 2 a.m. in the morning to come to the aid of the fire victims.

Harris said he was shocked to learn of the tragedy when he saw the story in the Tribune last week.

“Just a week earlier I was in that house talking to the priest and his family.”

Harris complimented the spirit of caring in Williams Lake.

“I have every confidence that the priest and his family will receive the support they need in this time of crisis. I know they can count on you.”

Coun. Surinderpal Rathor, a member of the Guru Nanak congregation, thanked his fellow politicians for attending the service.

“Thanks to the family that offered the house for our priest to live in and thank you to all the Williams Lake citizens who came forward,” Rathor said. “I can’t thank you enough.”

Saini said members of his congregation are grateful for the way the citizens from the greater community of Williams Lake opened their hearts to the plight of the priest and his family.

“It makes us feel really good. The community is good about looking out for one another.”

Saini said many people have dropped off donations of clothing, bedding, blankets and cash at his store, Williams Lake Forestry Supplies.

“People can continue to drop off any donations at my store. Tax deductible receipts are available from the temple.”