Drumheller’s sense of community was on display as neighbours worked towards protecting each other’s families and property. After the water subsided, the spirit of giving has continued.
The high water events in Drumheller and throughout the province have inspired great acts of generosity to help families rebuild and move on.
NewCap Radio in Alberta didn’t wait for the water to fall. Last Wednesday, it hosted the Alberta Rising Radio-thon. This ran from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to raise funds for the Red Cross to help flood victims in south and central Alberta. The endeavour through all the Alberta New Cap radio stations raised more than $70,000 for flood relief.
Drum FM also teamed up with local businesses and held a one-day blitz fundraiser on Thursday. Locally it brought in about $25,000 for the local Salvation Army to use for relief.
“We are blown away with the amount of support over the last week and didn’t think we would raise this much, our original goal was $1,000,” said station manager Ryan Semchuk.
While these actions were able to draw upon the larger community to make a difference, Mrs. Scott’s Grade 5 class at St. Anthony’s started small, and by the end inspired a community effort.
Mrs. Scott’s students decided on Wednesday to have a popcorn sale to raise funds for flood relief, as the flood affected two members of their class.
The students’ efforts were inspiring raising $500. This inspired the parents of the students to match the donation, bring their total up to $1,000.
But it doesn’t stop there, Cam Christianson of Canalta saw the merit of the project and he too matched the donation bringing the total up to $2,000, to go to the local Salvation Army.
Having arrived in the community hours before to their new posting to replace Lts. Matt and Rachel Sheils, Lts. Laurie and Dusty Sauder of the Salvation Army saw first hand the generosity of the community.
In the meantime, the staff at St. Anthony have also started to collect some funds. Christ the Redeemer School Division encompasses schools in communities that were devastated by the floods. Our Lady of the Snows in Canmore, as well as Notre Dame Collegiate, Holy Spirit Academy and St. Like Outreach in High River all closed for the year when the flooding hit. A number of students and staff have been evacuated and saw their homes destroyed.
In all, the staff at St. Anthony’s has collected $1,250, and Canalta again matched the funds bringing the total up to $2,500.
These funds will be forwarded to Christ the Redeemer Schools Division and the board will hold the funds in trust for regional flood relief.
