Fort Mac Wildfire Thread

[TheDragon]

We just cracked 5 digits!

$10,030!!!
$10,130!!!

[wwkayaker]

Add $100 from me.

[Trailer Fire]

I know it's a paltry sum, but I donated $5. I really want to do more, but I'm financially strapped. I wish here was more I could do, but they don't want volunteers and they don't need 'stuff' which is all I have.

CP amazes me sometimes. How you all came together is incredible.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I heard on the radio this morning that many people have been evacuated with no extra clothes. We have assembled two boxes of good adult and kids' clothes and want to donate it to people that might need it. But there seems to be complete lack of information about where and how to do it. Only cash donations are being accepted. Does anyone here know more?

Originally Posted by rohara66

From what I've read so far nobody is really ready to take on item donations yet. And I read an article online yesterday and items (clothes, toys) aren't really what's needed now as items are difficult to transport, sort and distribute.

This is the article in question, seems to be very well reasoned.
When helping hurts: Why you should never donate physical goods during a disaster

We have some family that was evacuated north and managed to get flown out by Shell from one of the camps. They were allowed 1 bag each on the plane.

At this point they have no idea when they'll even see their vehicle they drove to the camp again. It's just too early for anyone to distribute/accept physical items currently.

[PostandIn]

My company is in for $5K via Red Cross and have challenged other Edmonton-area tech companies via the twitterz. Participating in the airbnb free stay relief campaign.

[dammage79]

Canadian Red Cross ‏@redcrosscanada 58m58 minutes ago
Thanks to generous Canadians, we have already raised $11 million for #ABfire relief. You can continue to support: http://bit.ly/24oNP3v

[Nehkara]

[polak]

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

I know it's a paltry sum, but I donated $5. I really want to do more, but I'm financially strapped. I wish here was more I could do, but they don't want volunteers and they don't need 'stuff' which is all I have.

CP amazes me sometimes. How you all came together is incredible.

Yeah it's bad timing with it being right at beginning of the month and lots of people just paid bills. Every bit helps though.

[FlameOn]

Down for $150 + the match from my company.

[Fuzz]

Just got this email:
http://www.highlanderwine.com/produc...r-Malbec-Blend
The more you drink, the more you help! Something I can get behind!

[Slava]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I've been to Fort McMurray a few times and Mrs. MG had expressed a desire to visit. Sadly, it seems that that will never happen - at least not for a few years. I read somewhere that the rebuild may cost $5 billion. I don't know if that's accurate. I hope the lesson not learned from Slave Lake will be learned now and northern communities will not have those immense tree stands right around them. Otherwise this will happen again.

And a shout out to the Edmonton-area communities that are rallying behind the tens of thousands of refugees who are here. There are hundreds and hundreds of events to aid these unfortunate folks. Restaurants and hotels are donating their product and thousands of people have opened their homes to strangers. I know that stuff is happening in Calgary, too, but we're closer so this is where most of the people have come and they're being welcomed with open arms. I love Alberta!

One of my clients sold their house Monday with signing of papers to be the next day. Now I don't know what happens to the sale. The house is still standing. They're in Spruce Grove staying with relatives.

I really don't know how feasible that is though. Like this is a city right in the middle of a boreal forest. Most of northern Alberta is that way and while I would like to see more selective logging (a different issue entirely), I don't want to see clear-cutting.

Anyway, what I really came to this thread to post is about the donations. I hope this comes across nicely. It's great that guys are donating and cool that CP is keeping track I guess. I just don't think that people should feel bad reading that there are some people donating a lot and others here have been struggling for the past year and find themselves unable to contribute, or contribute what they may like to. I guess I just worry that while this tally might encourage some people to donate it probably makes some in our community feel pretty bad about their situation. I hope that isn't the case!

[Jing]

$50 for me.

[metallicat]

$100 from my wife and I.

I'm blown away by the generosity from Albertans and people who have donated from around the world. It makes me choke up a little bit to read about the outpouring of support.

My one friend in fort mac got evacuated two days ago.

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by polak

Yeah it's bad timing with it being right at beginning of the month and lots of people just paid bills. Every bit helps though.

I know there is no 'good' time for disaster and tragedy to strike, but if this had happened in a weeks time I would have been back to work for the first time in 8 months.

I'm challenging my FB friends to try and compete with CP.

[OffsideSpecialist]

I live in a small town in Ontario at the moment, and apparently a local musician has decided to put on a charity concert soon with all the proceeds going to the Red Cross' efforts in Fort Mac. The event seems to be getting a lot of attention, so we're sending what support we can your way. Can't imagine what people out there are going through, but it's so awesome to see everybody helping one another out in any way they can.

[burn_this_city]

$200 from my wife and I.

My company matched as well.

[chedder]

"I guess I just worry that while this tally might encourage some people to donate it probably makes some in our community feel pretty bad about their situation. I hope that isn't the case!"



I hope nobody feels that way too Slava. As is always said, it's the thought that counts. And doing what you can.

[OldDutch]

$200 from my family.

As a 2013 floods survivor I'll let you know that the Red Cross came to our door a few times during the clean up. They delivered a disaster kit and offered counselling. They also offered to help in other ways, but our family was good.

From a person who was helped by them I have no problem donating. I hope everyone else who can does, if you cannot I totally understand and please don't feel bad. We all are in different spots. I'll always remember the help I received from my neighbors and even some CP members who stopped by. Very grateful.

[Knut]

$200 from Me.

[Fobby]

$75 from me + company matching