Tens of thousands of people packed Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton Wednesday night for the Fire Aid Fort McMurray benefit concert. Thousands more packed SMS Equipment Stadium at Shell Place to take in a free live stream of the event.
Some of the acts in attendance included Brett Kissell, Blue Rodeo, City and Colour and Nickelback.
Early reports from organizers show that at least $2 million was raised for the United Way of Fort McMurray.
“It was an amazing night that was fuelled by incredible generosity not only by people who bought tickets to the show but the sponsors who helped to take care of some of the costs of putting on an event of this scope and scale,” said Russell Thomas, Director of Communications and Community Impact at the local chapter of the United Way. “The two million dollars of course is kind of what they knew towards the end of the night, a number they could comfortably say, it may end up being more as all the donations get tallied up.”
Those dollars will help to fund the over 70 programs offered through 26 local social agencies in Fort McMurray that help those in need. To date the United Way has raised $3 million including the funds from the Fire Aid concert, those monies will be used specifically to help non-profits and charities recover and respond to the wildfire.
“It’s very different than our normal stream of funding. This funding is very focused on addressing the gaps that will be coming to light in the next few months in terms of what are the services and supports that people need and also helping those non-profits that have been affected in some way by this event.”
You can support the United Way campaign online.
