Chelsea Mahovlich started selling decals with the slogan “Cariboo Strong” after the fires, feeling she could do more help the community heal.
“I wish that I could’ve done more so I thought this was a good way to give back to the community and try to help out in any way I could,” says Mahovlich, a nurse working at 100 Mile House hospital whose family was evacuated from 108 Mile Ranch.
The community has been very supportive of this, according to Mahovlich.
“A lot of people have been very thankful and I have got nothing but kind words from people for doing it,” she says, mentioning a lot of it has to do with the community being connected to the organization the money has been donated to.
So far, the proceeds of the decals have raised $3,000 for the Cariboo Companion Animal Rescue and Rehab Society, a non-profit organization providing rehabilitation and vet-care to animals in the Cariboo region. It has also raised roughly $800 towards a bursary for Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School students pursuing a career in emergency services.
The operation has gotten bigger though, with Mahovlich now selling shirts and sweaters with the slogan “Cariboo Strong” with the help of Krista Kay Froland-Vieria.
The shirts and sweater sales haven’t been tallied yet but certain colours have already sold out, making it look it’s a very popular item within the community, says Mahovlich.
“People find that the logo connects more to the Cariboo,” she says. “I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and say they love the design so at this point I haven’t thought of any further designs.”
There are also no plans to change the logo of antlers above “Cariboo Strong.”
The decals are $10 each and the shirts and sweaters are $20 and $40 respectively and can be purchased at Kondolas or the 70 Mile General Store.