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Rotary club of Fort McMurray president Jeanette Bancarz has returned to Fort McMurray this week and I asked her for a short update on what was happening, here is her response:
"Things are progressing very quickly with the voluntary re-entry. They have already removed the boil water advisory for the Lower Town Site. The hospital should be fully operational on June 21st. Today the traffic felt like nothing had happened. Grocery store parking lots were full and there was a line up at the Timmie’s. We lost more than 2400 structures so there is much heavy lifting to be done in the coming months and years to help those impacted. We are hoping to still have a changeover dinner on June 26th. There is no smell of smoke in the area which is aided with the recent rainfall we have experienced the last few days.
Coming home on June 1st, I was struck by how the dandelions had overtaken every lawn and municipal greenspace. Streets were quiet that first night, however, now signs of life are at every turn. An impatient neighbor woke me up this morning mowing his lawn at 7:45 am. I’m not complaining though, it’s wonderful to have our neighbors coming home."
I understand we have raised over $400,000 through the Charitable Foundation so far and that does not include any donations made through the ATB. We are very pleased that ATB is adding 15% to any donations made online toward the District 5370 Charitable Foundation Fire Relief Fund.
As you know we are partnering with Alberta Pork Producers to raise more money at the Porkapalooza Festival. We still have a few volunteer spots to fill on June 18 and 19 and would appreciate if you or your club members could lend a hand collecting donations for our Fort McMurray Fire Relief Fund. The festival is being held at Clarke Stadium/Park in Edmonton. Shifts are about four hours in length. Duties consist of staffing the collection booth, meeting new friends, and showing a Rotary presence. Free T-shirts and food. It would be great if we could show support from all areas of our district, why not make a weekend out of it.
If you can help, please register using the following link:
http://vols.pt/js89Za
The Rotary Club of Edmonton Whyte Avenue will be presenting a cheque to the Rotary District 5370 Charitable Foundation Chair Julius Buski for $1,000 for the Fort McMurray Fire Relief Fund on Tuesday, June 14.
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