Fort Mac Wildfire Thread

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Drury18

If they won't help out, tell me where to drop stuff off.

I have a little girl at home. We'd be happy to go shopping for a birthday gift for the 3 year old and something for the 5 year old and donate it.

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

MMF please post information on the kids I have a 9yr old daughter and 5yr old son.

If there is anything I can provide I will.

Also, is there anything the parents need for clothing/necessities as well?

Originally Posted by llwhiteoutll

I'll second this.

I have Lego VIP points that need spending, can't think of a better way to do so.

You guys are great, even knowing this will all go to feed my steroid habit.

Just PM'd Minnie, she's taking care of a few things. They really only need 3-4 items for the week or so while they're stranded here. Don't need to overload anyone as no point in going crazy until they have a home to return to.

[old-fart]

My 11 year old son and 14 year old daughter just donated $80 to the Red Cross.

[Resolute 14]

$50 to the Red Cross, and $50 to the Wood Buffalo Food Bank for me.

[TomLeeMC]

News Talk 770 ✔ ‎@NewsTalk770
AB Wildfire Information officer says #ymmfire has grown to 85,000 ha, roughly the size of Calgary.
11:15 AM - 5 May 2016

[MrMastodonFarm]

TELUS Spark ‏@TELUS_Spark 1m1 minute ago
We'd like to provide displaced residents the opportunity to spend the day with their families during this difficult time.


TELUS Spark ‏@TELUS_Spark
TELUS Spark will be providing FREE admission to any residents displaced by the fires in Northern Alberta. #YMMfire

[Rhyme]

$500 to the Red Cross. Thanks CP for once again inspiring me to do my part to help. Always a lot of good people on this site.

[Bob]

I've heard that Conoco is preparing to or has already shut down Surmont and started evacuating the camps. Might just be non-essential personnel, but apparently they were bussed out to Edmonton early this morning.

[TheDragon]

I'm out of thanks for the day, because I've used them all on donors. You folks are absolutely amazing.

Running total of confirmed donations (not including undisclosed, Federal-matching or employer-matching totals) to the Red Cross from CP'ers is now at:
$7020! $7220!!! $7570!!!!

Now that surferguy sold the clock:
$7870


(If anyone else donated before and didn't mention it, feel free to throw your amount in. Text donations count too!)

[peter12]

Just to add to the total, I gave $200 yesterday.

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by TomLeeMC

News Talk 770 ✔ ‎@NewsTalk770
AB Wildfire Information officer says #ymmfire has grown to 85,000 ha, roughly the size of Calgary.
11:15 AM - 5 May 2016

That is insane.

[Tron_fdc]

Buddy of mine is a firefighter in Calgary, he just volunteered to get sent up. Leaves Monday with (he thinks) 2 engines, an aerial, 1 rescue and 2 bush buggies.

Not confirmed, just going on what he's hearing.

[surferguy]

Well, as per usual I am not in a position to donate. That said, I've done this in the past and it has worked.

I am offering this clock up for $300 CAD. You buy it, I'll donate it all. I'd preferably like somebody local in Calgary so I can shake your hand.

Knowing this is matched by the Feds means I can turn a garage hobby into 600 bucks for those in need and it will make me feel like I can help out in some way.

Who wants it? Claim it here - I'll PM you later to sort details.

Spoiler!

[Scornfire]

Throw another $200 onto the CP pile.

Additionally, if anyone knows of someone who needs a computer for their livelihood I have one I've refurbished that I only really use to watch multiple hockey games at once (Can come with a shaw compatible modem and a decent router + other assorted hardware like wireless keyboard/mouse etc) Also have several monitors I've fixed that just sit in the garage... Given a few weeks to order parts I can also refurb a few laptops.

For any kids that have lost everything, I have a ps2 +games/wireless controller I never use (not sure if anyone would really want one haha), a pair of skates (Size 6 Mens CCM Tacks ftw!), a fairly new and unused medium sized helmet, a couple good sticks etc.

Wouldn't mind clearing out my closet either if a small/medium sized man needs a new wardrobe

[driveway]

Red Cross Canada has a four star rating from CharityIntelligence.ca

They received 127 million in donations in 2015 and 122 million in government funding. They spent 152 million on program costs within Canada and 82.5 million internationally. They spent a total of 72 million on administrative and fundraising costs.

https://www.charityintelligence.ca/c...dian-red-cross

They are a very well-run charity who are actively helping. It is almost certainly the best thing you can do to help people.

Yes, there is at least a reasonable chance your money may end up paying for a half-dozen mosquito nets in Africa instead of 24 bottles of water in Fort Mac.

If that would cause you to close your wallet, you are a bad person.

[lambeburger]

Gave $150. Employer is going to match as well.

[Barnes]

If anyone is taking in families and needs kids clothes, toys, cups, booster seats, other baby stuff, PM me. I can go digging in the basement.

[Tacopuck]

Originally Posted by driveway

Red Cross Canada has a four star rating from CharityIntelligence.ca

They received 127 million in donations in 2015 and 122 million in government funding. They spent 152 million on program costs within Canada and 82.5 million internationally. They spent a total of 72 million on administrative and fundraising costs.

https://www.charityintelligence.ca/c...dian-red-cross

They are a very well-run charity who are actively helping. It is, almost certainly the best thing you can do to help people.

Yes, there is at least reasonable chance your money may end up paying for a half-dozen mosquito nets in Africa instead of 24 bottles of water in Fort Mac.

If that would cause you to close your wallet, you are a bad person.

After personally experiencing what the Redcross does during the 2013 floods, i have zero hesitation donating to them. They get help to those in need, simple as that.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by surferguy

Well, as per usual I am not in a position to donate. That said, I've done this in the past and it has worked.

I am offering this clock up for $300 CAD. You buy it, I'll donate it all. I'd preferably like somebody local in Calgary so I can shake your hand.

Knowing this is matched by the Feds means I can turn a garage hobby into 600 bucks for those in need and it will make me feel like I can help out in some way.

Who wants it? Claim it here - I'll PM you later to sort details.

Spoiler!

I'll buy it, PM sent.

[killer_carlson]

Out of thanks but great gestures listed in the thread.

Way to go CP!

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by HockeyIlliterate

I think this was asked upthread, but I never saw an answer:

Is it confirmed that all money raised/donated to the Red Cross for this disaster will be used solely in Alberta and in regards to providing assistance for this disaster?

I would be extremely disappointed if the money (especially the government-match money) ends up being "reallocated" by the Red Cross to go to, say, a Tsunami relief program in Singapore.

I hope I am not too far off topic but I wanted to reply to this with my understanding of how they operate.

The Red Cross is prepared for emergencies before they happen. They have contracts in place and supplies ready for fast transport. When a disaster happens they deploy their existing supplies immediately rather than wait for money to come in to help. Credit card donations can take two months before the Red Cross actually gets the money.

In effect, each disaster is funded by the previous disaster and the money they raise funds the one after that.

It is the only realistic way for them to provide a timely response.