The Bank of Montreal (BMO) has allocated their two million dollar donation to eight different organizations in our community to assist in recovery.
- United Way’s United for Fort McMurray fund: $500,000
- Habitat for Humanity Wood Buffalo: $500,000
- Keyano College for endowed bursaries to those under-insured during fires: $275,000
- Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Food Bank: $150,000
- YMCA of Northern Alberta’s Day Camps and Youth Leadership Centre: $150,000
- WayPoints for women and families in crisis: $100,000
- Wood’s Homes’ Stepping Stones program: $100,000
- Canadian Red Cross: $100,000
- Additional community support and events: $125,000
“We’re honoured to be a part of the Fort McMurray and northern Alberta community, and have chosen organizations that will ensure these funds have a lasting impact on the strength of this community as it begins moving forward,” said Susan Brown, Senior Vice President, Alberta and Northwest Territories, BMO Bank of Montreal.
This is the largest donation in BMO’s history, these funds will assist customers and colleague affected by the wildfire.
The announcement of the donation was made at the 10th Annual Oilsands Banquet, honouring the heroes of the great Fort McMurray wildfires, which was held on Wednesday night.
First responders from across Alberta were welcomed at the event at the Shell Place Ballroom, which was filled to capacity for the event that featured messages from political leaders from all levels of government including a personal letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a video message from Premier Rachel Notley and personal thanks from Mayor Melissa Blake.
Allan Adam, Chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, brought greetings on behalf of the Athabasca Tribal Council and delivered a very profound message of unity.
“Our home is your home,” he said.
The presenting sponsor of the event was BMO Financial Group, represented by Brown, who announced the significant new contributions to the community totalling $1.9 million.
In the company’s 200 year history, this represents the largest donation they have made following a major disaster.
