The Salvation Army Sends Team to Assist During Fort McMurray Re-Entry

Edmonton, May 31, 2016 – The Salvation Army is deploying a team of over 45 people to Fort McMurray to assist during the re-entry of residents this week. The teams will be present at three of the welcome centres that have been set up in the city to offer hydration, snacks and emotional care to evacuees as they return. In addition, The Salvation Army will operate the Sally Ann Café at the Fort McMurray Corps (125 Elmore Drive). The Café is open to all in the community for coffee, conversation and emotional support. Our local pastors will be present at the Café.

“Our doors are open to all of our friends and neighbours in Fort McMurray as a place to reconnect, take a break, enjoy a cup of coffee, and seek emotional and spiritual care,” says Major Stephen Hibbs, Corps Officer. “We will be here throughout the rebuilding process.”

After weeks of providing support to first responders, The Salvation Army’s community response teams and vehicles will remain onsite at the Regional Emergency Operations Centre (Fire Hall #5). We continue to serve snacks, meals and coffee and to provide emotional care to the first responders and essential personnel working from that location. We will continue to provide assistance as long as needed.

Over the past few weeks, The Salvation Army has assisted over 1,500 Fort McMurray evacuees with food, clothing and other practical needs. We appreciate the ongoing support of the public who have made these relief efforts possible.    

Donations
The public can still help with relief efforts through monetary donations. Donations can be made at SalvationArmy.ca/albertafires or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. A $10 donation can also be made by texting FORTMAC to 45678. To date, just over $1 million in donations has been received.

Due to severely depleted stocks of inventory at our thrift stores, we are also requesting donations of clothing, bedding, linens, furniture and household goods at our Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer locations. This is to replenish supplies given out to Fort McMurray evacuees. Drop-off locations can be found at http://www.thriftstore.ca/alberta/locations.

The Salvation Army has operated its community and social programs in Fort McMurray since 1979 and will continue to be an active presence in the city.

Photo credit: Larry Wong, staff photographer/photojournalist, Postmedia Network

For further information please contact:

Captain Pam Goodyear
Divisional Secretary for Public Relations and Development
Alberta and Northern Territories Division
Phone: 403-410-1115
Email: pam_goodyear@can.salvationarmy.org

Major Stephen Hibbs, Corps Officer – Fort McMurray
Alberta and Northern Territories Division
Mobile: 780-531-7223
Email: stephen_hibbs@can.salvationarmy.org