Resilience in recovery – Hi Neighbour Merritt
Celebrating the dynamism and vitality of Merritt and its residents.
When devastating floods hit the Merritt area of the Thompson Nicola Cariboo in November 2021 and the entire city was forced to evacuate, United Way BC was there to support impacted community members through our Emergency Response & Recovery Initiative. After our rapid-response support, which provided funding and supplies to Merritt, United Way BC Hi Neighbour Merritt supported longer term social resilience building. As Hi Neighbour Merritt moves into the legacy phase of the initiative, we celebrate those who led recovery efforts helping to ensure the dynamism and vitality of their community.
Supporting kids and families
United Way BC helps support kids and youth and their families, so they can grow up great and reach their full potential. One of the ways we do this is by connecting kids and youth to their community. Merritt Family Day, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion, received support from United Way BC Hi Neighbour Merritt’s Local Love Fund – microgrants of up to $1,000 to support community change -helping purchase food and equipment rentals so the community could celebrate the holiday together. Attendees enjoyed free hot dogs and snacks, live music, dance performances, games, and taekwondo demonstrations.
United Way BC Local Love funds supported the Merritt Fire Rescue Department to host their annual Kid’s Christmas Party for the families of their crew. They also collected toys to be donated to the Nicola Valley Food Bank Toy Drive.
When three requests for United Way BC Local Love Funds came in to support the wrap up Literacy Merritt & Nicola Valley Society Literacy Week. We were happy to provide funding for a Creative Playground. Approximately 180 people attended to play games, do crafts and activities, dance, and enjoy free pizza and snacks. And of course, each kid went home with a free book! A fantastic night for kids and for literacy.
Exploring the great outdoors
Merritt’s Grasslands 4-H Club challenged other groups to clean up parts of the city. One of the organizers, and a mom of a 4-H member, applied for a Hi Neighbour Merritt Local Love grant to purchase clean-up supplies, snacks, and drinks for the group. They spent the day together, an enthusiastic and keen team, gathering garbage from roadsides, and helping to clean up the place they call home. Nothing beats instilling a love of the land in our children.
Kane Valley is a winter paradise of pine and aspen, located about 20 minutes south of Merritt. Every January, the Nicola Nordic Ski Club brings people together from all over the Interior to eat beans and play in the snow. They fondly call it “Chili Sunday”. Merritt resident, Kate Anderson, applied for a United Way British Columbia Local Love Grant to help support with the supplies, including buns, treats, and ski lessons. “How great is that?” she asked when talking about the fund, “What a great intention to set for the day.”
The trails were groomed and packed, and it was a fabulous day in the valley. Five participants participated in a fun ski lesson, and between 40-50 snowshoers and skiers stopped by to enjoy the time together. The snow, sunshine, peace and quiet of the trails, followed by laughter and community spirit.
A resilient community
“The community of Merritt and its residents exemplify strength and resilience in the face of enormous challenges including natural disasters. Through Hi Neighbour Emergency Response & Recovery Merritt, United Way BC was thankful to be a part of this incredible community during a critical time,” says Kaileigh Schofield, United Way BC Community Engagement Specialist for Merritt.
As Hi Neighbour Merritt moves into legacy, our Building Inclusive Communities Hi Neighbour Merritt Handbook provides inspirations, tips, tools and resources to ensure Merritt residents continue to lead vibrant and positive community change.
Leaving a legacy
Over the past seven years, the United BC Hi Neighbour (HIN) Initiative has succesfully fostered community connections in over 33 communities, including Indigenous Communities and Emergency Response across BC. Since 2021, almost 1,000 Local Love grants have been disbursed for numerous projects, events and other vital community building and rebuilding activities. Almost 165,000 people have been engaged and uplifted to help create healthier, more caring and inclusive communities.
Together, we are UNITED for communities.