The wildfires surrounding Salmon Arm prompted two young residents to do what they could to help firefighters.
Rhyan Leggett Grayston and Nalayia Taylor could be seen at the corner of 10th Avenue and 10th Street SW, outside the Mall at Piccadilly parking lot, on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 26/27. There they were selling two types of lemonade as well as their homemade bracelets. Signs explained that half the proceeds would go to the BC Wildfire Service, while half would go to the girls.
鈥淪ince the fires have gotten really worse and we鈥檝e seen where it鈥檚 really intense, we wanted to help them,鈥� explained Rhyan.
鈥淪o they can get into hotels and stuff because they鈥檙e working hard,鈥� added Nalayia, pointing out the firefighters are having to sleep in tents and use porta-potties. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 all around us (the wildfires), so we thought it was the best thing to do.鈥�
They said Friday that the lemonade had been selling better than the bracelets, but they were getting lots of donations.
By the end of the day Thursday they had raised $348, so about $200 would go to the firefighters.
Their families expressed pride at their efforts.
Todd Grayston, Rhyan鈥檚 dad, said the girls did it on their own initiative.
鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 look for adults to support it, they just decided on their own to do this.鈥�
Asked Friday how they were feeling about their project, the girls were positive.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great that we helped out,鈥� Nalayia said.
鈥淚 feel happy,鈥� Rhyan smiled.
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