Many groups, organizations, businesses and individuals are stepping up to lend a hand to the people of Fort McMurray, in the wake of the devastating forest fire which has destroyed approximately 2,400 structures in the Northern Alberta city, and forced the evacuation of its 88,000 residents, many of them to points south.
There are a number of local initiatives, with one fundraiser held as part of the Night Out for Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser held on Friday evening, where 25 per cent of the evening’s liquor sales were donated to the Red Cross. Also, at the trade and craft show held on Saturday at the Weyburn Curling Rink, a silent auction table was organized with contributions of items from vendors at the show, and over $1,600 was raised for the Red Cross. In the photo shown here, Sabrina Kraft of the Weyburn Review presents a donation from Review staff of $56 to Alexi Sirounis who baked a dozen cinnamon buns; she had also provided buns at the trade fair's silent auction for the fundraiser.
A Midale-area farm and petting zoo will be holding a fundraising event on Saturday, May 14. The Mathieu farm, located one and a half miles east of Midale on road 702, is opening their petting zoo from 3 to 6 p.m., with barbecued hot dogs and a raffle table. Cash donations will be accepted, and all proceeds will go to the Red Cross.
In Weyburn, Pet Valu is accepting donations for Fort McMurray, with all donations to go to the Red Cross and to the Fort McMurray SPCA, including product donations. Items being accepted include litter and litter boxes, cat and dog food, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, crates, ped beds and pet-related products.
The Canalta Hotel in Weyburn will be holding a fundraising barbecue on Friday, May 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., selling hot dogs and drinks, and all proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross.
Glacier Media, which publishes community newspapers including the Weyburn Review and Weyburn This Week, is asking its readers to contribute through FundAid, with all proceeds to go to the Red Cross. There are many ways to contribute, and the company is providing one more avenue for those who have not had the opportunity to contribute yet. The campaign is live now at http://www.fundaid.ca/fortmac, where donations may be made.
Heading the nation-wide fundraising effort, the Canadian Red Cross is raising funds to help with the displacement of the residents, with around $60 million raised as of Tuesday, not including the matching funds from the federal or provincial governments.
The organization is currently focusing on providing financial assistance to Fort McMurray evacuees who need basic items, such as mattresses, toiletries and diapers, and are looking at how to support residents once they are allowed to return to their community. Donations can be made by texting the word “REDCROSS” to 30333 to make a $5 donation.
Premier Brad Wall today announced a donation of $250,000 would be made on behalf of the people of Saskatchewan to the Red Cross in Alberta. The donation will be used to support those displaced by the Fort McMurray wildfires.
“The people of Saskatchewan stand with those in Alberta in the wake of this terrible event,” Wall said. “We know how difficult it is to experience massive forest fires and what that does to families and communities. The Government of Saskatchewan will continue to help our Alberta neighbours in any way we can.”
“Thanks to Saskatchewan people and businesses who continue to step forward to help our neighbours,” Wall said. “We want Albertans to know that we stand ready to help.”
