Flood Relief & Rebuild -Jonmardel, de Leeuw Farms

The de Leeuw Blog - describing first hand the events of the Sumas Flood

https://atdeleeuw.wixsite.com/de-leeuw-flooding-up/post/november14-19 

Sumas Prairie has been decimated. Millions of dollars will be needed to reclaim, rebuild and reconstruct many farms and personal homes. We seek to do the impossible and raise millions. The best way to help truly is by financial means, where money can be distributed appropriately based on need.

 

We have an initial goal of $2, 000, 000 to help rebuild not only the de Leeuw farm but also the neighbouring farms in Sumas Flats.

 

The de Leeuw family and their neighbors have tragically watched as their 3rd generation farm was destroyed. Tears flowed as animals drowned or had to be put down, barns and houses flooded, equipment ruined, crops, feed and fields wiped out.

 

Anyone who knows Andrew de Leeuw, knows he gives of himself until he can give no more. He with his sons and neighbors have used their resources to save every neighbouring animal possible, preserve property and salvage belongings. This is all at the loss and damage of their own tractors and resources and even putting their own lives at risk.

 

We would like to give back to him and the farming community. Many have offered help in various forms and we cannot even express our thankfulness for your time and dedication. It will genuinely take a town and city to rebuild. And we have no doubt this community will come together. So many have already worked hard and volunteered so much. Let's bring community and neighbors together.

 

Thank you all.

 

NOW is the time to raise funds. It will take years to rebuild this farm community.

 

We are creating this platform where we can receive donations online in order to disseminate based on need as costs present themselves. Funds will be distributed where there is a need for up front money and where insurance does not cover repairs. Some farm equipment and crops are uninsurable and therefore complete losses. Many in the farm community know Andrew de Leeuw to be a generous and fair farmer, who will share to assist and rebuild the farming community he loves so dearly.

 

Please consider giving. Anything you can give from $1 to thousands is meaningful and an honour. Give as you are able.

 

As waters receed we will share how you can volunteer physically or with material resources if you are able. At this time we need to raise money to help farms restart.

 

You can also give through many local churches by e-transfer citing 'Flood relief'. Yarrow Canadian Reformed Church is holding a relief fund drive.

 

 

Upfront repairs needed:

Personal homes and dwellings

Multiple barns

Community and farm cleanup

Replace livestock

Restart businesses (i.e. Northland Farms, The Parlour Hair Salon)

Equipment and tractor repair

Land reclamation

Feed storage

Crop/feed replacement

In all of this we thank God for preserving our lives and of those surrounding us. We are thankful that much livestock could be rescued. And above all we can follow in the example of Job, who when he lost everything he still praised the Lord. Praise our Father in heaven. 

Job 1:21 "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”