WESTLOCK — In the wake of a devastating wildfire in Jasper, Albertans continue to show support to residents and businesses impacted.
That support includes more than $1.5 million raised across the province and close to $3,000 raised July 31, by donations at bottle depots across the Town & Country This Week coverage area in Barrhead, Westlock and Athabasca during the initial one-day event. Radio stations across the province also raised thousands.
In light of the outpouring of support across the province, the fundraiser was extended until the end of the holiday weekend, to Aug. 5.
“I think it’s a great response. I wasn’t expecting that much,” said Westlock Bottle Depot co-owner and manager Jasbir Sidhu, who owns and operates the depot with her husband Sarbjit.
She said the amount raised during the initial one-day fundraiser in Westlock, which totalled about $2,200, demonstrates how much Albertans care for each other.
“I think the people are showing they are there for them, to help (Jasper residents).”
The Alberta Day of Caring for Jasper was part of a province-wide fundraising campaign, between radio broadcasters and the Alberta Bottle Depot Association, for the Canadian Red Cross 2024 Alberta Fires Appeal, with both the federal and provincial governments matching every dollar donated.
According to the Canadian Red Cross website, donations will be used to assist those impacted in Jasper and other affected areas in Alberta with immediate and ongoing relief, including financial assistance, support to evacuees and the communities hosting them, recovery and resilience efforts in response to the wildfires, and community preparedness and risk reduction for future all-hazard disaster events within Alberta.
