Alberta Day of Caring: Recycle empty bottles and cans to help Jasper wildfire evacuees

Wednesday marked the Alberta Day of Caring, a province-wide effort to support Jasper wildfire evacuees.

The fundraiser was a joint effort between Alberta radio stations and Alberta bottle depots.

To help, people brought their bottles or cans to bottle depots throughout Alberta and said "these are for Jasper."

You can also donate to the Canadian Red Cross 2024 Alberta Fires Appeal.

The provincial and federal governments will match every dollar donated, which means $1 becomes $3 to support those affected by the wildfires. 

Donations can be made through the Red Cross Canada website, or people can text the word "RADIO" to 20222 to make a $10 donation.

 As of July 31, the Red Cross is giving out $750 payments to Jasper households.

The organization says donations are currently going toward the immediate needs of evacuees for things like hotels and food.

"One person said, 'I’ve lost everything. I’ve lost my house. I have no money.' So this money is so important to that person, and it’s something we hear over and over again," said Guy Lepage with the Canadian Red Cross. 

The funds will then go toward assisting people as they eventually return home and start the long rebuilding process.

"The resiliency is coming through now, and we are there to help them with the very generous Canadians who, whenever there’s a disaster in this country, open their hearts and wallets," Lepage said. 

With the wildfire near the town still listed as out of control, evacuees still don’t have a timeline on when they can return.

Alberta Wildfire says hot, dry conditions could cause the fire to pick up again this weekend. 

In a release issued Wednesday night, Day of Caring organizers said, "The Alberta Day of Caring for Jasper took place across the province today and was a tremendous success! Albertans raised a total of $518,482 to support the wildfire relief efforts in Jasper. Thanks to donation matching from both the Federal Government and Alberta Provincial Government, the grand total raised was $1,555,446."

Calgary's Shouldice reception centre

As of July 31 at 9 a.m., 1,506 evacuees have registered at Calgary's Shouldice reception centre. 

The reception centre is located at the Shouldice Arena, 1515 Home Road N.W.

It’s open from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Evacuees who arrive after midnight are asked to call 311 for assistance.

Lethbridge showing support

Staff at the Ability Resource Association and Green's Pop Shop locations in Lethbridge spent the day collecting bottles and cans for Jasper.

"To allow a way for everybody in the community to support the cause is something we're really happy to do," said Dale Williams, operations director with the Ability Resource Association.

"Most of us have either been to Jasper or know people who live there now or who have lived there in the past, so it's very close to our hearts."

Others in Lethbridge have joined the effort.

Gas King is donating five cents from every litre of gas sold at its Lethbridge, Picture Butte and Medicine Hat locations.

"We've done this sort of thing in the past," said Brent Morris, Gas King president.

"So, we thought why not do this on this day and people have to fill up with gas, so might as well come to Gas King and we'll make a donation on everyone's behalf."

Support so far has been strong.

"We actually started collecting on Monday this week and we're going to go through the whole week," Williams said.

"I know here at the south depot, we have probably about $600 so far and our north side location has had (truckloads) of donations coming in."