On Wednesday, May 4, Carlyle's Steve Schultz received a phone call from Ryan Benjamin of Jewel Energy, who was trying to gather relief supplies to aid the displaced citizens of fire-stricken Fort McMurray, Alberta.
“Ryan was going to gather a load to take up to the company's head office in Red Deer,” says Schultz. “From there, they'd get the supplies to wherever they were needed.”
“I put something out on Facebook and sent some emails. We weren't able to reach everybody in such a short time, but really, the response was overwhelming.”
“Ryan asked me if local businesses could contribute,” says Schultz, who is president of the Carlyle Chamber of Commerce. “We had a tight timeline, but our community really stepped up to the plate, and by early Sunday morning, we had enough stuff to fill a 28-foot cargo trailer, ready to go.”
“There are just so many businesses and people to thank,” says Schultz. “But logistically, Carlyle RV & Leisure and Southern Plains Co-op in Carlyle stepped in as drop-off points and that was a huge help.”
“Our big back room here in the (Pharmasave) store was full in a very short time-with things like diapers, water, canned food, baby food, pet food, toothbrushes, toiletries and so much more.”
“We sent thousands of bottles of water, diapers, toiletries, pet food, clothing-really, anything people would need,” adds Schultz. “The Dickens committee contributed a bunch of clothing that was all cleaned, sorted and ready to go. Our customers heard about it and some gave us cash and said, 'Here, buy anything you need.' So we took the cash over to The Bargain Shop and bought towels and kids' underwear.”
Derrick Edwards, Branch Manager of Southern Plains Co-op witnessed the same thing in his store. “When we were approached and asked if we could round up stuff to send and to be a drop-off point, we were happy to do it. Our customers made cash donations and most just told us to purchase what was needed most. Our staff donated the funds from their can deposits and I think everyone just wishes the people of Fort McMurray all the best. It's hard to imagine being in that situation and really, we were more than happy to help out. Anything we can do, we're happy to do.”
Martin Tourand of Ron's The Work Wear Store in Carlyle agrees and says of his contribution of cases of socks: “It's a terrible situation and we're just doing what we hope anyone would do for someone in this situation. We thought about what might really be needed, and I know everyone else did, too.”
Ron Mitchell of Carlyle RV & Leisure says that the drop-off point at his business was inundated with people eager to assist the people of Fort MacMurray.
“Ryan Benjamin came out and told us he was taking a trailer-load of donations to Alberta on Sunday,” says Mitchell. “We had our Mother's Day Sale on the weekend, so we pulled up a covered trailer and hosted the drop-off in conjunction with our sale.”
“We had some people bringing tubs and tubs of clothing, shampoo, water... everything.When you see the news, it's devastating,” adds Mitchell. “It makes you feel good to help out in any way you can. And I'd like to ask that if anybody is taking another load out to Alberta-to get in touch with us, if we can help.”
Both Carlyle's New Dimensions Hair Studio and Salon 206 were early responders to the call for contributions to aid Fort McMurray.
Donna Brown of New Dimensions says, “It was Alicia's (Brown's) idea. We did a fundraiser on Thursday and Friday. We donated five dollars for every client booked in those two days and five dollars for every gift certificate sold for Mother's Day.”
“Also, a lot of our great customers and clientele matched us,” says Brown, adding, “Disasters are awful, but it brings out a lot of good in people by helping others.”
Amy Geiger and her Salon 206 staff were similarly touched by the situation in Fort McMurray.
“As I was looking on Facebook on Wednesday morning and saw all of the pictures of the danger and devastation, my heart went out to all of the people who were losing almost everything but their lives to the fires.”
“I wanted to help in some way and I figured with Mother's Day coming up and knowing that people would be shopping for Mom, I could donate part of our sales to helping the people of Fort Mac,” says Geiger. “ I know people would do the same for us. That's the best part of living in this giving country. Everyone helps everyone. We raised $250 and we'd like to thank everyone who contributed.”
Betty Jack of The Bargain Shop! In Carlyle agrees. “We have sold a pile of stuff. People were coming in and buying water, toothpaste, underwear, you name it-all to donate. Every once in a while, I'd just have to step back and have a wee cry. It just warmed my heart. It made me proud to be a Canadian.”
“It was a real community response,” says Schultz. “And I'm really proud of our small town and what we were able to pull together in a very short time.”
