Saint John-area community does its part for fire-ravaged Fort McMurray

On Saturday, firefighters in a community bordering Saint John raised money as part of the relief effort for victims of the Fort McMurray wildfires.

The fire department in Grand Bay-Westfield accepted cash donations to send out west. People have been emotionally moved by the graphic images of the raging fires that caused the evacuation of Fort McMurray and the destruction of thousands of homes. Some had difficulty containing their feelings.

“Just a huge upset to see so many families lose so much,” local resident Gary Short said. “I think it’s great that everybody steps up and helps these families.“

And step up people did Saturday as a steady stream of donations pour in. Donna Wilson was another resident to drop by and make a donation.

“Because they need the money out there to rebuild their lives,” Wilson said. “Pay it forward and it will come back to you eventually.“

All monies raised in the fundraiser were to be sent off to the Red Cross relief effort.

It should come as no surprise that firefighters are heading up this campaign as the firefighting community is a close one.

“(It’s a) very big brotherhood with them and that’s the ones that we can feel for because we know what they’ve been going through and what we have also with them.” Doug McLean, Deputy Chief of the Grand Bay-Westfield Fire Department, said. “So very huge to get this type of support for them, they need it.“

There’s an even closer connection for some within the department. Volunteer firefighter Christine Morrison’s sister was among the evacuees. Her belongings are believed to be OK and she even made it home for a visit.

“People in the airport could definitely tell it was extremely emotional for us to see each other and for me to make sure it was OK,“ Morrison said.

In total, the response from the community was much more that what was expected according to McLean.

“The generosity of people coming by here and stopping in and shaking our hands, congratulating us, and we’re not the fellows in Fort McMurray, but its been overwhelming.“