SMOOTH ROCK FALLS — When evacuees from Sandy Lake First Nation were brought to Smooth Rock Falls to escape raging wildfires, they arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs.
What they received in return was the full embrace of a small Northern Ontario town.
Since Monday, Smooth Rock Falls residents have rallied to offer clothing, baby supplies, food, and even cash donations.
About 1,200 people live in the small town east of Hearst — less than half the population of the evacuated First Nation.
One of the community members leading the effort is Vickie Potvin, who has spent the last 24 hours crisscrossing town, picking up donations from dozens of homes.
“I was expecting donations, but not to this extent, to be honest with you,” Potvin told TimminsToday. “We might be a small town, but our hearts are big.”
The giving spirit was sparked by a Facebook post in Potvin’s group for families in need, a community she started in 2023 after experiencing hardship herself. When someone mentioned that evacuees had arrived in town and might need help, she sprang into action, collecting a list of urgent needs and sharing it online.
Donations came flooding in, from new and gently used clothes to diapers, playpens, toys, and food from a local grocery store, Sunrise Orchard. The Royal Canadian Legion pitched in with over-the-counter medicine, wipes, and baby supplies.
One of the most touching moments came when a woman donated her late husband’s clothing.
“Her husband passed away a few months ago, and I asked her, when I got to her door, I looked at her, and I touched her hand, and I said, ‘Are you sure that you are willing to part with this? If you are not ready, it's OK,’” Potvin said.
“She said, ‘I'm going to have to get rid of it at one point, and if it's going to help people, then I think that the clothes are going to the right place, and my husband would be proud of me.’”
So far, Potvin has made pickups at 28 houses, and counting.
“On my time off from work, I've got the addresses, I've got their names, and I'm just going,” she said. “It’s crazy, but it’s beautiful.”
The evacuees are currently being hosted at the Moose Motel in Smooth Rock Falls, which has been entirely booked for their stay. The motel is now home to at least 61 evacuees, with capacity for over 100, if needed.
Mayor Patrick Roberts said the town has hosted evacuees before, but never quite like this.
“Most of the time when they come in, they want to go to Timmins or Toronto, some bigger town,” he said. “But this time, they asked for us.”
Roberts was deeply moved when he heard what the evacuation co-ordinator had to say.
“He’s done this for 10 years, and he’s never seen a place give so much so fast,” Roberts said.
“I can't be more proud of this town. It says a lot. It’s a small town. We don't have a lot. But when you ask somebody to help, they help.”A
Roberts said the evacuees are expected to be there for about a month.
“They left with the clothes on their backs and whatever they could carry. They've been through a lot. We can't even imagine what they've been through,” he said.
“They’re more than welcome for as long as they want to stay.”
He credits both individuals and businesses for going the extra mile.
“I just want to say, I'm very, very, very, very proud of Smooth Rock Falls' residents for stepping up to the plate. That means a lot to me,” Roberts said.
For those still looking to help, Potvin said donations are still being accepted. Anyone interested can reach her through Families in need (Smooth Rock Falls & area).
