The Salvation Army has received a large contribution to support fire recovery efforts.
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation has committed $600 thousand over three years to restore and expand the Emergency and Disaster Services Response Units.
With the funds Fort McMurray has bought a brand new Community Response Unit and will hire an additional full-time counsellor for individuals and families.
Some of the money will go toward upgrading three existing response units and also purchasing a transport vehicle to assist with transportation of supplies and personnel in and out of disaster areas.
The Salvation Army’s Divisional Secretary for Public Relations and Development, Captain W. Mark Stanley, thanked The W. Garfield Weston Foundation for their support of the recovery efforts throughout Fort McMurray.
“When these challenging and difficult situations arise, we are honoured to be able to provide practical, emotional and spiritual support along with a friendly smile and a glimmer of hope to those going through the unimaginable,” said Stanley.
Stanley noted that the Disaster Response Unit played a vital role when battling the wildfire last May, the unit stayed and fed many First Responders.
