BC fires destroy Squilax General Store and Hostel

My good friend Blair Acton, owner and operator of the Squilax General Store and Hostel, on the Trans-Canada Highway, in the Shuswap, lost everything to the Bush Creek East fire last week (Friday, August 18th). This loss was not covered by insurance, and now her home and business are gone. My name is Sheryle Saunders and Blair has been my friend for over 40 years. I would like to raise some money to help her over this hump while she figures out her next steps.

Blair caught the travel bug when she was in her twenties and hosteled around the world. When her father became ill she returned to the Shuswap and decided to open a hostel to be near her father and family. Blair found Squilax General Store and decided this would be her new home and business. The Squilax General Store and Hostel was born.

Many people have fond memories of this magical place she had created in The Shuswap. For 30 years people from all over the world have come to have a unique Canadian Experience sleeping in cabooses, enjoying pancake breakfast with real maple syrup, s’mores by the fire pit looking at the endless night sky, or soaking up the sunshine on the dock by the water or watching the beavers and bald eagles go about their business.

Squilax General Store and Hostel was a labour of love for Blair. She was not in the business to get rich. She was in the business to enrich people’s lives. Unfortunately insurance was not something that Blair’s business could afford. The fire came so fast that Blair lost her home and her business before she even got an evacuation order. She was able to get out safely but has lost everything.

Please give what you can. Blair has given to so many over the years. Now Blair needs our help.