Seniors for Climate protects a village

Snow pack was at record lows in 2026. Drought in the Similkameen and Okanagan Valleys is extreme this year. People fear a summer of wildfires and the resulting deadly smoke.

Sun shrouded in smoke June 2021 Heat Dome BC

Susan Tucker, a member of Seniors for Climate South Okanagan, heard about Penticton City's free event with the BC Lung Association to build, and give for free, DIY air purifiers to protect vulnerable people from wildfire smoke.

Then Sue set out to protect her community. Here's her story.

Keremeos is a tiny village of 1500 people in the south of Interior BC. We mostly grow fruit and wine grapes. Maybe you have tasted our award-winning wines.

Recurring health issue

Each year for numerous years, we have had wildfires so close that we can watch them grow and progress from our living room windows. Although we can see the glow of the fires, we cannot see much else: the air quality becomes frightening. Huge chunks of ash land on our sidewalks and we cannot see across the roads.

Poverty barriers

A few people in Keremeos can afford to buy commercial air filters. Unfortunately, though, we have the highest poverty rates in the Okanagan-Similkameen. Most people just try to stay inside or survive with simple masks.

I knew that the BC Lung Association offers DIY air filter projects. The local library -- the Keremeos branch of the Okanagan Regional Library -- was keen to offer their space and assistance if funding could be found for such a project, one that offered filters for people in need. The hope was to have a DIY workshop for eight people. Each air filter costs about $80 so we needed about $640.

Finding funding

We knew the BC Lung Association was coming to Keremeos to install a free air monitoring station for the village, through Carter’s Project and that they would drop off a sample filter at the library.  Using money from selling used books, we thought we could manage a workshop.

At a climate friend’s suggestion, I emailed the TB Veterans Association for financial support, because they focus on lung health. I received a response which sounded like they had contacted the BC Lung Association, and they would provide us with a sample filter and handouts, as we knew.

Chance meeting

I zipped down to the library to show them the TB Vets' response.  While I was there, who should walk in the door but the BCLA team! 

Apparently, as they were driving, they had received an email from the Veterans Association about our plea.

They gave us five free fans and filters.  They also donated five prepared air filters--a local elementary school made for us during a workshop that morning!  

Helping the community

     This means that we now can do two workshops instead of one.  For people who can't get into a workshop due to lack of space, we'll hold a draw for the ready-made fans. 

Hurray! Our first workshop is planned for June 13th.

Want to do more and follow Susan's lead?

Join Seniors for Climate South Okanagan SOkCofC@gmail.com or check out the national group of elders https://seniorsforclimate.org/ to join with over 5000 other seniors committed to a better future for our kids and grandkids for seven generations.