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A book that captures the heart of the community

Last Updated Dec 6, 2016 at 10:46 am MDT

PHOTO. Rock 97.9 Chris 'Welcome to Fort McMurray' sign, NKS Photography. Used with permission.

Everyone has a different story from May third and the months following, 93/88,000 is the first book emerging from The 88,000 Project.

It shares heart-warming and heart-wrenching personal stories of the evacuation, re-entry and time in between. 

Ashley Tobin, the curator and editor of the book, started it as a study assignment on community engagement. 

“It started as a liberating idea to share my story and those of a few friends. Before I knew it I had 93 stories and I was seeking investors to print the first run of the book. It has been my passion every day since its launch in early October, and I must have driven my poor husband nuts. But it has definitely been worth it, and pre-orders have been encouraging,” said Tobin. 

The stories, written or typed, are published in their original form and remain anonymous. 

“You read a story and you can feel the emotion. We all experienced something all-consuming, and sharing the stories has helped many people to start healing within themselves,” said Tobin. 

The book is available at: Chocolates and Candlelight, The Final Touch, Heritage Park Gift Shop, Chow’s Varieties, Keyano College Bookstore, Coles, and Absolute Serendipity. 

It will also be available for purchase online

Once costs are recovered a donation will be made to the United Way’s ‘This is Home’ campaign.

Interest toward The 88,000 Project has been so high Tobin is halfway through collecting stories for a second book.