As the struggles in Japan continue to mount after deadly earthquakes and tsunamis, local residents are doing what they can to raise funds and anything else which could be used to help the people affected.

To kick off a campaign for donations, the Invermere fire department donated 10 of their trauma bears to care packages that are going to be sent from David Thompson Secondary School.

“The school is organizing a bunch of activities to help in the relief effort,”  said Chris Tihor, who is a teacher at the high school who works with the international students.

Right now Tihor said that events are in the early planning stages at the school but will happen as soon as they can

“We are going to see what needs there are. Right now the Red Cross is a major group helping and they are asking for money, but as time goes on the needs are going to increase a lot. I think a big thing for people is that people in all parts of the wold show they care about what has happened,” Tihor said.

He went on to explain that having the bears donated is going to make a difference for people who receive them.

Tihor added that the group is not sure how many care packages there are going to be but everything will help.

As for the fire department, Fire Chief Roger Ekman said they were happy to help with the project. “We always have the bears in our trucks in case we go to an accident where there are children involved,” he said.

More information will be coming on what the group from DTSS will be doing to raise funds over the next few weeks.