In a small way, the people of the Sunshine Coast can identify with the people of Fort McMurray, having endured the Old Sechelt Mine fire last year. The difference, of course, is the magnitude of destruction – and that difference is profound.
The Sechelt fire burned through about 400 hectares of forest, caused the evacuation of a handful of residents at Carlson Point, and did not destroy any homes or businesses or damage any major infrastructure.
The Fort Mac fire, by comparison, was estimated Tuesday to be covering some 230,000 hectares, had forced the evacuation of more than 80,000 people and damaged or destroyed 2,400 buildings, most of them homes, in the south end of the city.
The scale of the disaster is mind-boggling. The toll on the people is unimaginable.
That’s why Canadians have been giving like there’s no tomorrow. Large and not-so-large companies have each thrown in tens, sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars for fire relief. Bolstered by provincial government, union and individual donations, the total raised for the Red Cross as of Wednesday was nearing $70 million – and that equates to $210 million after Ottawa and Alberta match dollar for dollar.
And it’s not just Canadians who have been moved to give. Russia, the U.S., Mexico and other countries were quick to offer firefighting assistance; Syrian refugees in Calgary have been sending care packages to evacuees; quilters from around the world are sending blankets; singer James Taylor (“Fire and Rain”) is donating concert proceeds from upcoming Edmonton and Calgary shows.
Here on the Sunshine Coast, Elphinstone Secondary students teamed up with South Coast Ford last weekend to raise money for relief efforts, while Legions and businesses are spearheading community fundraisers up and down the coast. Coast Reporter, as part of the Glacier Media chain, is also offering a conduit for donations to the Red Cross Alberta Fires Appeal – a FundAid campaign that can be found at www.fundaid.ca/fortmac. To get the ball rolling, Glacier has donated $50,000. The goal is to raise $70,000 through crowdfunding.
The plight of Fort McMurray has touched people deeply, so let the goodwill roll.
