EDMONTON – Edmonton-based troops, firefighters, police, and even Epcor employees have all been pitching in to help Calgary get back on its feet after the devastating flood. Now, Edmonton businesses and ordinary citizens are joining the relief efforts as well.
“We have no better friends…than our best friends in Edmonton,” Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi said on Sunday.
A day later, Edmontonians showed that like true friends, they’re able to put all rivalries aside to help their fellow neighbour in need.
“I know if it was us, they would do the same,” said David Blommaert. He and his daughter came to add blankets, bottled water and toiletries to a growing stack of donations being piled into a Calgary-bound trailer at the Corus Radio studios.
Corus started collection donations Monday morning. And by supper time, one trailer had already been filled.
“A lot of people people have been thanking us, it’s just so odd,” said 630 Ched announcer, Andrew Grose. “They’re thanking us when they’re the ones coming down and giving… people want to help and they just need some way to help. So we’ve literally given them a vehicle to help.”
“It’s very small what we’re donating. I wish I could give more,” added Blommaert, who is thinking of going down to Calgary later in the week to offer his services in person. “Hit a neighbourhood, maybe help somebody clean out their house.”
“It’s heartbreaking,” he continued. “Watching it on TV is one thing, but I know being there would be something completely different.”
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Organizations and businesses throughout the city are showing their compassion as well.
Northlands has announced it will donate $25,000 to the Red Cross for flood relief.
“It’s a small amount of money in the scope of things, but what we hope is it will encourage other organizations to link together and help our city in the south,” said the company’s President and CEO Richard Andersen.
Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. also announced it would be donating $100,000 to the Red Cross.
Even if you don’t have the means to donate goods or money, there’s still a way you can help. Since the Canadian Blood Services was forced to cancel several clinics in Calgary for the safety of staff and patients, at least 600 units of blood to date were not able to be collected. So the Edmonton branch is hoping to do something about that.
“What we’re wanting to do, in the coming days,” explained Deb Steele-Kretschmer, “is to make sure we reach target so we can make up for the units that were lost.”
Whatever the donation type, it’s clear that Edmontonians are more than happy to give.
“Anytime there’s a disaster you want to help,” said Grose. “But when it’s a disaster within your own province – I mean…all rivalries aside, we’re all Albertans and I think all of our hearts are breaking for our neighbours in southern Alberta.”
Donations are being accepted at the Corus offices (5204 84 St.) all week during regular business hours. Corus is also encouraging those going to the Taylor Swift concert on Tuesday to bring a donation, if possible.
You can donate online to the Red Cross as well.
With files from Quinn Ohler, Global News
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