‘They just want to help’: Radio marathon for Fort McMurray generates more donations

Q107’s Jeff and Sarah kicked off a two-day marathon for Fort McMurray on Thursday. Calgarians, including some with little to give, answered the call for donations.

“These are people who have said, ‘I don’t have a lot, I really don’t. But I’m going to bring you three or four things because I want this to go to Fort McMurray,” said Sarah, a morning DJ at Q107.

Her radio partner Jeff said the Fort McMurray wildfire is bringing back memories of the June 2013 floods in southern Alberta.

READ MORE: Where Fort McMurray fire evacuees can get help and information

“There’s so many feelings of the flood coming back…and people having been in that situation and been displaced and they just want to help,” he said.

The DJs urged people to drop off non-perishable items at the radio station in southwest Calgary, or at Northstar Ford in Crowfoot, which started accepted donations on Tuesday night.

READ MORE: Fort McMurray fire: How can Calgarians help?

One semi-trailer packed with donations left the northwest dealership Wednesday night headed for an evacuation centre.  Two more truck-loads were expected to leave on Thursday.

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Julie Baquiran in her store “The Great Outdoors: Junior Outfitters”

Many Calgary businesses are continuing to assist by donating to the Red Cross.

The owner of The Great Outdoors: Junior Outfitters grew up in Fort McMurray and has decided to donate the proceeds from all sales this coming Saturday.

READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire: Why the cooler temperatures won’t help the situation as much as you think

It’s not an easy thing to do, acknowledged Julie Baquiran.

“I think about everybody that’s given up so much up there and all they’ve got to cling on to is their families,” Baquiran said. “It’s a small, small price for me to pay.”