Acts of kindness abound in flood-damaged Grand Forks

Two Grade 5 boys in Grand Forks, B.C. are proof that you don't have to lift heavy sandbags to make an impact.

Logan Engen, 10, and Riley Wolfarm, 11, have been running an iced teastand since Thursdayto raise money for one of their classmates.

Logan said their friendlost his house "and everything in it."

To help out, the boys areemploying someold fashioned advertising tactics to turn iced tea into flood relief aid.

• Locals get first glimpse at swamped homes in Grand Forks, B.C.

So far, they've raised close to $500 for their friend.

"So he can get his stuff back. His clothes, his shoes, I don't know all of his favourite things," said Logan.

In Grand Forks, acts of kindness aboundas the community struggles with floods that have forced the evacuation of about3,000.

Pastor turned 'water boy'

Brett Swope, the pastor of Grand Forks' Baptist Church has earned the nickname "water boy" because he's been handing out cold drinks to residents hauling sandbags.

Swope packs his red and white pick-up truck with water, Gatorade and a large ice-filled cooler. The items are all donated by the church or a grocery store.

"I do what I can to keep them cool," he said.

• Help arrives as threat of flooding rises again in B.C.

Sometimes, he brings his kids along to help hand outcold drinks."I'm part of the community, I want to help," he said.

Interfor steps up

Perhaps, the most unexpectedgesture came after the town's lumber mill, one of the largest employers in town, was flooded and forced to close.

Nearly 100 people were left without work. On hearing that, the mill's owners, forestry company Interfor, vowed to pay their workers retroactively to May 10 the day the flood hit.

In a letter to employees, Interforvice-president, Andrew Horahan said,"We hope the certainty of regular income in this time of crisis will allow you to continue to help your neighbours and keep the community spirit thriving."

• Continue reading: CBC camera captures devastation inside Grand Forks, B.C., homes