It was just over a week ago, on May 1, that a wildfire was sparked just southwest of the Alberta community of Fort McMurray. Within two days, the fire had swept its way into the heart of the residential area, engulfing entire neighbourhoods in flames. As of press time, more than 80,000 people have been evacuated from their homes and about 1,600 structures have been destroyed.
Canadians coast-to-coast have united to support Fort McMurray’s residents during this challenging time. Donations to the Canadian Red Cross towards the relief effort total $54 million thus far, with the Government of Canada committing to match all individual donations.
Given the significant number of Dal alumni who call Alberta home — not to mention that Fort McMurray has long been a destination for Maritimers looking for employment in the energy industry — it’s no surprise the Dal community has been doing its part.
Since last week, Dalhousie has featured a link to the Canadian Red Cross donation website on its homepage, and has been promoting the fundraising campaign via social media, the Dal News Weekly email, Today@Dal and other channels.
Alumni connections
Dalhousie’s Office of Advancement has been reaching out to alumni across the country, with the alumni relations team setting up a Facebook group allowing those who have been displaced by the fire to connect directly with alumni and friends able to offer temporary lodging. Nearly 360 members have joined the group, several of which have offered space in their homes.
"We believed that our alumni community was willing and ready to provide meaningful help to their fellow alumni and friends affected by the tragic wildfire in Fort McMurray — and the community has really come through,” says Naomi Hill, Dalhousie alumni engagement officer. “The outpouring of support we've witnessed from the Dal alumni community over the past few days has been inspiring. Alumni across Canada and around the world have shown that the compassion of the Dal alumni community knows no geographic boundaries."
Want to do your part? You can make a donation to the Canadian Red Cross online or by text message. (Text REDCROSS to 30333 for a $5 donation, FIRES to 45678 for a $10 donation). Dal’s alumni team also encourages you to share the alumni Facebook group with others who might be interested, and prompt others in the Dal community to support Fort McMurray on Twitter with the hashtag #Dal4FortMac