EDMONTON – Dozens of Canadian companies are offering donations and support to help the recovery efforts in the southern Alberta flood disaster.
On Wednesday, Suncor Energy announced a $1.5 million program to support flood relief efforts in Southern Alberta. The funding and program will be administered through the Suncor Energy Foundation (SEF).
“While it is devastating to see the damage as a result of the unprecedented flooding, it is heartwarming to see the community rally together,” said Steve Williams Suncor president and chief executive officer. “We will help. That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive flood relief program that will deliver dollars to organizations that have expertise in getting funds to those who need it the most.”
Suncor’s flood relief program will provide support in four areas: the immediate response, re-entry programs, recovery activity and rebuilding efforts.
Also on Wednesday, the coffee company known around the world as distinctly Canadian, announced a multi-level support program to aid flood-damaged Southern Alberta communities, with national, provincial and grassroots initiatives.
Tim Hortons announced it will donate $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Floods Fund.
“Our thoughts continue to be with all those affected by the floods in Southern Alberta,” explained Doug Anthony, the company’s vice president in Western Canada. “As a company deeply rooted in community partnerships, Tim Hortons is committed to continuing our on-the-ground community and national support efforts, to assist those affected by the floods, as well as those working tirelessly on the front line.”
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Tim Hortons owners have created a special Alberta Rose donut, with 100 per cent of the sales from the $1 baked good going directly to Red Cross flood relief efforts. The Alberta Rose is a vanilla dipped, bloom donut with a venetian cream centre, topped with strawberry bark. It will be available for a limited time at participating Alberta restaurants beginning Friday, June 28th.
The Edmonton Eskimos will be collecting donations for the cause at Saturday’s home opener.
“We think that it’s the responsibility of all of us – but particularly of the Edmonton Eskimos – to say to the city, ‘look you can come here and also be a part of helping down south,’” said Allan Watt, vice president of marketing and communication for the team. “I mean, it’s a complete mess down there, and every little bit that can be done is going to be helpful.”
“People can donate to the Red Cross here, we’re going to have some special entertainment. Corb Lund phoned and said ‘why don’t I come there?’”
The country singer will be performing a tribute to flood-affected communities during Saturday’s halftime show.
“Some of our partners have pitched in, people like Molson, Subway, TELUS,” he says, adding the list of contributors is a long one. “There’s always a mistake you’re going to leave someone out.”
Our partners @MolsonCoorsCA are joining the Esks flood relief efforts on Sat by donating $1 for each Molson Canadian Widemouth sold…
— Edmonton Eskimos (@cfl_esks) June 26, 2013
“There’s not a corporate partner out there in our part of the world that hasn’t said ‘we’ll help in any way we can.’”
The team has also donated $10,000 to the efforts.
The Eskimos are dedicating their 2013 season opener on Saturday to the thousands of southern Alberta flood victims.
Throughout the week, Edmontonians are also being asked to sign one of four banners to show their support for those affected by the flooding. $1 will be donated for every signature on the banner, with the goal of raising $50,000 for the Canadian Red Cross Flood Response.
The banners will make their first stop at the sold-out Taylor Swift concerts at Rexall Place Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, and will end their journey at the Eskimos game on Saturday.
Shaw Communications Inc. (the parent company of Global News) announced that it has opened up its Shaw Go WiFi network to everyone across Southern Alberta to help facilitate communication. Authentication will not be required to connect to the network.
“We are deeply affected by the tragic circumstances our communities are currently experiencing,” said Brad Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Shaw. “We’re going to do whatever we can to assist citizens.”
The WiFi network will remain open until further notice.
Hundreds of Shaw employees, including Global News reporters, are also volunteering at relief centres and in hard-hit areas and the company last week donated $1 million to the Red Cross to assist with relief efforts.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) is thanking all its members for their work dealing with the direct implications of the crisis.
“Our members have been on the front lines obviously in health care and social services,” explained President Guy Smith. “They’ve been stepping up and making sure people are safe and healthy down there in very challenging circumstances.”
“It shows, I think, when the public service steps up… when they need to support Albertans, and we’re very proud of our members who’ve done that.”
The AUPE has also made a financial donation of $25,000 to the Red Cross relief fund.
The Slave Lake Wolves, a Junior B hockey team, and member of the NWHL league, issued a challenge to other Junior B teams and other hockey leagues.
“We the Slave Lake Wolves are calling upon teams and leagues that represent the Junior B hockey world to match or increase our donation of $500 towards the High River Junior B team,” reads a news release. “They are going to need all of our help as a hockey organization to rise from the flood and be able to play the game we all love, hockey.”
“We, the Slave Lake Wolves, know exactly what the community/team is going through at this time,” the release continues. (For more information, contact the team’s administrator CMALBEUF@TELUS.NET)
A number of Canadian companies have donated funds to relief efforts in Alberta.
ConocoPhillips announced a contribution of US$1 million to support relief efforts. Half of this amount will be donated to the Red Cross and the other half allocated to local non-profit organizations supporting flooding relief and recovery efforts.
Fortis Alberta said it will be giving a $100,000 donation to the Red Cross flood relief efforts.
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.
Bank of Montreal announced a $100,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross last week. BMO branches across Canada are accepting donations to the Canadian Red Cross and the company is also offering a financial relief program for BMO clients affected by the disaster, including loan and mortgage payment deferrals, and options for fee reversals. For more information, click here.
“We want to assist our customers and residents in the region living through this human drama,” said Robert Hayes, BMO Senior Vice President, Alberta and NWT Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. “We hope our relief program for customers and our $100,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross will help alleviate some of the difficulties.”
On June 21st, Sobeys launched Flood Relief Round Up, an in-store campaign that allows customers to round their purchase to the next dollar with proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross in support of flood relief efforts in Southern Alberta. The campaign will run until July 15 at participating Sobeys and IGA stores across Western Canada, and Sobeys will match donations up to $100,000.
“Many of our own employees were directly impacted by the floods, and I’ve heard stories of how others were quick to pitch in to help friends, family and strangers during this emergency,” said Sam Bartucci, General Manager for Sobeys West. “These are never easy times but the one thing that is apparent is what a difference community spirit and teamwork can make.”
If you’d like to help, contact the Canadian Red Cross and request the donation be earmarked for the Alberta Floods.
The Red Cross has also set up an information line to assist with family re-unification. If can be reach at 1-866-696-6484.
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