Many Atlantic Canadians have a special connection to Fort McMurray.
“It’s just like my second home, there’s so many people that I know out there between friends and family. It’s my main source of income, it’s what puts bread on my table, it’s one of the greatest places,” said Malcom MacLean, a construction worker who’s spent time in the northern Alberta city.
MacLean says he’s been in shock ever since the city was evacuated.
“It’s all surreal to me because I’ve worked in and around there and I know the place like the back of my hand. Knowing that so much of it is gone now, it’s very, very surreal,” said MacLean.
Red Cross shelters are operating in Edmonton, Calgary, Lac La Biche and Drayton Valley.
Red Cross volunteers from the Atlantic provinces landed in Alberta over the weekend to help support with disaster relief.
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“The initial seven that have gone are primarily there to support shelter operations. These are senior people with experience managing shelters so they will be helping out in the shelters that are already there,” said Dan Bedell, the communications director with Atlantic Canadian Red Cross.
Red Cross donations from across the country have totalled over $40 million so far.
It’s a response that notable Haligonians like East Coast Lifestyle founder, Alex MacLean, are helping with.
“Over the last 10 years my uncle has been living in Fort McMurray and it’s just tragic to see what’s happened to that whole area,” said Alex MacLean.
MacLean’s clothing company is holding a fundraiser for the Canadian Red Cross running from May 5-9.
“One hundred per cent of our profits from East Coast Lifestyle and West Coast Lifestyle is donated to Fort McMurray victims (during that time). So we’re going to donate that to Red Cross directly,” said MacLean.
The wave of Maritime support doesn’t come as a surprise to Bedell.
“We all know somebody in, or working from time to time in Fort McMurray and we’ve seen a real groundswell of people wanting to help in any way that they can,” said Bedell.
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It’s a national support effort that also comes with a positive message of support from many east coasters like Malcom MacLean.
“You can make it through, you will rebuild, stay strong, stay positive, you will get through this,” said MacLean.
Evacuees are asked to confirm their registration with the Red Cross by 11:59 p.m. Monday.
For more information on how you can donate visit the Canadian Red Cross website.