A number of businesses and agencies in the province are stepping up to help those displaced by the wildfires near Fort McMurray. 

A steady stream of workers is loading up pallets at Northstar Ford, located at 9 Crowfoot Circle N.W., to be sent to the evacuation area.

The dealership also has a location up in Fort McMurray and says all 200 employees that work there are all safe, but the connection runs deeper for the company.

“Our VP of sales is born and raised up there and she is absolutely devastated,” said Clayton Rivet, Sales Manager at Northstar. “She is in tears, of course. She was the one who got on there and said, we have to help.”

Inn from the Cold has opened up about 75 beds to evacuees.

“We made a commitment that we could offer up to 75 beds, which is the capacity we’ve got available right now that’s not being used,” said Linda Mclean, with the agency. “We’ve just had confirmation that we have 30 people arriving in the next hour, all of them evacuees.”

Samaritan’s Purse is stocking up supplies and the organization’s Disaster Response Unit says that once the fire is contained, people will need help to salvage whatever they can from their homes.

“We’re involved in sifting through the remains of people’s homes and helping them to recover valuables,” said John B. Clayton, Director of Programs with Samaritan’s Purse. “Things that help them in terms of their personal journey of what has happened in their lives.”

Our Lady Queen of Peace Ranch is opening its Edmonton facility to evacuees and officials say 30 fully outfitted teepees, which sleep 12, are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

There are washrooms, showers and recreational facilities on site and ranch staff is also handing out new clothing and supplies.

OLQP North is located at 903 153 Avenue NE, Edmonton, and the facility can also accommodate hundreds of RVs and campers. Officials say ID to show residency will be required and that the organization will open its south centre in Bragg Creek if the need arises.

"We may be in Calgary, but we are all Albertans and we believe it's important to take care of our own," said Our Lady Queen of Peace Ranch Director Dennis Doherty.

The Calgary Humane Society is also helping out in Fort McMurray, The agency is looking for kennels to transport animals that were displaced by the wildfire.

The organization says kennels can be dropped off at the Humane Society at 4455 110 Avenue SE and at AARCS Bay G, located at 3851-21 Street N.E.

A reception centre has been set up for evacuees at SAIT in Calgary, click HERE for details.

“We currently have a reception and lodging centre at SAIT and our emergency social services team has registered approximately 100 people at that location as of 3:00 p.m. this afternoon,” said CEMA Chief Tom Sampson. “This is a pet friendly location that can accept evacuees travelling with their dogs and cats.”

Calgary companies and organizations fundraising for Fort McMurray:

  • Calgary Beer Fest
    $10 from every T-shirt sold at Calgary Beerfest on May 6th and 7th will be directly donated to the Red Cross
  • Last Best Brewing
    100% of beer sales on Thursday, May 5th, will be donated to victims of the Fort McMurray fire
  • Atlantic Trap and Gill
    Join Atlantic Trap and Gill on May 19th for a fundraising event that will feature live music, door prizes, and a silent auction from 7 – 9 pm. Cover is $10 that goes directly to the Red Cross
  • Wurst
    Wildrose MLA Derek Fildebrandt is hosting a fundraiser at Wurst Restaurant on May 6th starting at 5 pm. Tickets are $20 at the door, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross
  • Bootleggers Sports Bar and Grill
    Until May 11th, Bootleggers Sports Bar and Grill will be donating 50 cents from every pint of Molson Canadian sold, to the Red Cross
  • Broken City
    Head to Broken City on May 18th for their Rockin’ 4 Dollar$ event. Cover charge will be by donation with all proceeds going to the Red Cross and the event will feature performances by several local bands
  • Teatro Group
    On Friday, May 6th, Teatro Group will be donating 50 percent of its food sales from all their restaurants to the Red Cross. Establishments include; Eighth Avenue Trattoria, Cucina, Ca’puccini Theatre Cafe, Alforno Bakery and Cafe, Vendome Cafe, and Teatro Restaurant
  • Redwater Grille
    From now until Saturday, proceeds from select drinks at Red Water Grille will be donated to the Red Cross
  • Our Lady Queen of Peace Ranch
    OLQP is accepting donations for evacuees and will issue a tax receipt for donations

The Red Cross has set up a call line for the public; for inquiries and to register call 1-888-350-6070.

To make a donation, call 1-800-418-1111 or visit the website HERE.

Click HERE for up-to-the-minute emergency information & contact numbers.

Mental health support is also available by calling Alberta’s 24-hour Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642.