Fort Mac stays close to our hearts

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/05/2016 (3637 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

More than two weeks after 80,000 Fort McMurray residents were forced to leave their homes amidst raging wildfires, Brandonites continue to donate their time and money to help those affected by the disaster.

On Thursday afternoon, more than 350 people attended a fundraising BBQ hosted by elementary students in the playground of J.R. Reid School.

“My students and I talked a lot the week following the fires in Fort McMurray and they were really sad and wanted to know how to help,” Grade 3 and 4 teacher Kyla Yanick said. “It was their idea to put on this fundraiser and they did the majority of the work.”

Yanick’s 23 students petitioned Wheat City businesses for donations and spread the word about the event on local radio stations.

“I think it’s really important for students to know that they can actually make a difference, even if it’s not directly,” Yanick said.

Yesterday, Grade 10 students at Vincent Massey High School also handed over more than $2,800 they raised for the Canadian Red Cross during noon-hour fundraisers last week.

Many Brandon businesses have also jumped at the opportunity to help.

“As is every credit union in Manitoba … we’re accepting donations and remitting them to the Red Cross,” Crocus Credit Union CEO Arnie Guist said, adding that members have already pledged $1,645 to the cause.

So far, Canadians have donated more than $98 million to the Red Cross’ Fort McMurray relief fund and the federal government has promised to match the funds collected by May 31.

Canadian Red Cross, Manitoba communications advisor Jason Small says that while there are between 40 and 45 registered Red Cross fundraisers in Manitoba, it’s difficult to break down the national total by region.

“It all goes into the same pot,” Small said. “A lot of (third-party fundraising initiatives) are ongoing because some are set up at stores or at websites, so we’ve only heard totals from a few so far.”

However, Small says Red Cross booths set up at the Keystone Centre during Game One and Two of the Western Hockey League Championship took in nearly $7,000.

Westman residents have also contributed approximately $2,500 to the Mennonite Disaster Service’s Fort McMurray fund. MDS is a faith-based volunteer organization that assists with disaster cleanup and rebuilding efforts in Canada and the United States.

“Everything is on hold waiting for people to be allowed back into the community before anything further can be done,” MDS staff accountant and administrative assistant Angeline Bergman said. “Once people are allowed in, MDS will be going in to assist with clean up … and further down the road we will assist with rebuilding as well.”

To date, MDS has collected approximately $15,000 in Manitoba and more than $150,000 nationally.

Visit redcross.ca to place a donation with the Red Cross or mds.mennonite.net to place a donation with the Mennonite Disaster Service.

» ewasney@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @evawasney