Urgent Fort McMurray Fire Relief Posted by Hans Granholm on May 05, 2016 We have all watched and heard the horrific flash fire emergency unfolding in Fort McMurray, and many of you may be wondering how you may help. So here is a run down on ways to do just that.   A member of the Rotary Club of Edmonton Strathcona, who wishes to remain anonymous, has pledged to match any of our members' donations dollar for dollar up to $1,000. As of the time of this writing we have no deadline for the matching grants, but we suggest you submit your pledge on or before Friday May 13th. After you have finished the pledge form, please advise Rick Harcourt , cell or text: 780-965-4453 of the amount pledged in order to coordinate our anonymous member's pledge.   Outside of Rotary the Canadian Red Cross is accepting donations which will be matched by the Federal Government. Use the Red Cross online donation page on redcross.ca (probably the best bang for your buck)   ATB has also announced that they will match donations made on their online contribution site with another 15%. Here is the link: https://atbcares.com/bcart/add/cause/124-889886024RR0001   Please see below for updated information on how you may donate using charge cards or cheques to donate through the  Rotary District 5370 Charitable Foundation.   You will receive a tax receipt regardless of your method of donation.   Fort McMurray Fire Relief Fund Established   The Rotary District 5370 Charitable Foundation has established the “Fort McMurray Fire Relief Fund” to assist in the rebuilding of that city following this tragic fire.  The Charitable Foundation is now ready to accept donations, for which tax receipts will be issued.  The Foundation will rely on an independent committee of Fort McMurray stakeholders (including the Rotary club and the municipality) for advice on disbursal of the funds.    This fund is being established after consultation with DGN Frank Reitz (resident of Fort McMurray) and Fort McMurray Rotary Club President  Jeanette Bancarz.   Donations may be from individuals or corporations.  Rotary clubs may wish to facilitate this process by collecting donations, and then forwarding either the individual cheques or a cheque drawn on the club’s account for the total amount, along with a list of the donors and their addresses and postal codes.   Please forward donations to:   Rotary District 5370 Charitable Foundation c/o Rotary District 5370 Office 16030 – 104 Ave.. NW Edmonton AB    T5P 0S3   and annotate cheques “Fort McMurray Fire Relief Fund”   If you wish to make a donation using Visa, MasterCard or American Express, you may do so by using the Canada Helps website and the Charitable Foundation’s link:   https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/rotary-district-5370-charitable-foundation/   In the comments section, please indicate that the donation is for the Fort McMurray Fire Relief Fund.   Many thanks!   Julius Buski, President Rotary District 5370 Charitable Foundation   P.S. Do not forget to check Facebook posting and tweets:    http://www.facebook.com/groups/StrathconaRotary/   https://twitter.com/edmstrathrotary