When it comes to giving to those in need and rallying a huge network of friends and supporters to do the same, few have the pull of 91原创鈥檚 Chris and Jamie Ruscheinski.
The twin are organizing a drive-thru flood relief fundraiser this Saturday afternoon in 91原创, and leveraging the relationships they鈥檝e built through their years of charity work, they鈥檙e shooting to raise $30,000 for the cause.
It鈥檚 doable, Jamie told the 91原创 Advance Times, noting they raised more than $8,000 in the first two days after the concept was conceived.
The Ruscheinski brothers are known locally in the real estate world as the Property Twins, but moreover they鈥檙e recognized for their cancer fundraising efforts through projects such as the huge summer Gone Country concert.
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Well, they are throwing together what they call an impromptu or pop-up fundraising event to 鈥渉elp us help our neighbours鈥� 鈥� those who have been devastated by the massive rainstorm Sunday and Monday and the flooding that鈥檚 followed.
鈥淟ike everyone else, we were watching everything go down on the news and on our social media feeds and feeling completely helpless,鈥� Jamie said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e heartbroken, because we鈥檇 like to do more,鈥� but Jamie is hopeful this will help.
鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 just sit back and do nothing,鈥� he said. 鈥淣either can others. They鈥檙e just looking for a way to help, too.鈥�
While he finds it personally fulfilling to roll up his sleeves (or pant legs) and physically pitch in to help wherever needed, he and his brother don鈥檛 have excavators or sand bagging equipment.
Short of that, the boys felt the next best thing would be to call on all their contacts, and pull together this drive-thru event that could provide a simple but meaningful way for anyone they know to help.
To ensure it鈥檚 COVID safe but as beneficial as possible, they opted to create a drop-off style event.
Working with Sammy J鈥檚 Grill & Bar owners and team, they organized a four-hour drive-thru fundraiser out front of the 91原创 restaurant (101-19925 Willowbrook Dr. 鈥� next to Real Canadian Superstore). It happens this Saturday, Nov. 20, from 12 to 4 p.m.
鈥淲e鈥檒l take everything,鈥� Jamie said, 鈥淓verything that can help.鈥�
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While the primary request is for cash donations, they鈥檙e also eager to take gas and grocery gift cards, as well as a long list of new items. (See suggestion list at the end)
鈥淲e鈥檒l take dog food. We鈥檒l take anything that people are going to need,鈥� Jamie added.
They鈥檙e hoping those donations will fill at least a couple five-ton trucks.
鈥淲e set this up quickly, because we know people need help now,鈥� Jamie elaborated, noting the details of how all the items will be distributed and through what means is still being worked out.
That said, he offered assurances that 100 per cent of all cash donations will be going to the Canadian Red Cross鈥� B.C. flood relief efforts.
The quest was on Thursday to find a few local businesses willing and able to match all the financial donations being collected.
In addition to accepting donations Saturday, a team of volunteers from Sammy J鈥檚 will be serving up hotdogs and 91原创鈥檚 country recording artist will be emceeing the event alongside 91原创鈥檚 Steven Sigurdson and .
鈥淚 was watching the devastation unfold, and I was feeling a little bit helpless, and then鈥� she spoke with her friends 鈥� the twins 鈥� and plans simply started coming together.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 going to be great鈥� Hopefully we can come together 鈥� so-to-speak 鈥� and make [the flood victims] feel supported,鈥� Batten said.
Teams of volunteers will be directing traffic through the parking lot at .
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 even have to get out of your car, we鈥檒l just throw you a socially distanced high-five or hug,鈥� said Batten, who grew up in Abbotsford 鈥� one of the B.C. communities hardest hit by this week鈥檚 flooding.
For those unable to attend the pop-up, drive-thru in 91原创, the twins are also accepting donations online.
Donations can be made on the
Similarly, the twins are selling extra tickets to the 2022 already sold out Gone Country concert. An extra 200 general admission tickets are up for grabs for the over-priced cost of $99 each, while VIP lounge tickets are $199, while quantities last.
Chris Ruscheinski concluded: 鈥淭he helpless feeling of watching families lose their homes, farms, livestock, and livelihood is gut-wrenching鈥� Our neighbours need our help. We need you all to answer the call for us, as you have done so many times before. We will never stop saying 鈥榯hank you鈥�.鈥�
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Full list of new and unopened items being accepted Saturday:
Bottled water
Ready to eat items
Rice
Canned meat
Hearty soups
Cereal and granola bars
Peanut butter and jam
Crackers
Canned fruit
Canned vegetables
Towels
Blankets
Underwear
Socks
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Diapers (especially sizes 4, 5, and 6)
Pads and tampons
Baby formula
Gas gift cards
Grocery gift cards
