A High River couple is collecting donated Christmas decorations to send to families in Fort McMurray.

In the midst of disaster recovery, there are a lot of things for people in Fort McMurray to think about, and Christmas is pretty low on the list right now. But a couple in High River has been inspired by their experience to help out. Terry and Helga Lempriere’s home was partially destroyed in the flood of 2013, and they received a very special helping hand back then.

“A husband and wife in High River started Christmas Hope, where they got donations of Christmas ornaments for residents of High River and the area who lost everything in the flood,” said Terry Lempriere. “Christmas is the last thing that you are thinking about in a disaster situation like that, so that really made an impact on us, and then Helga said, I wonder if anybody is doing that for the people of Fort McMurray?”

The idea to pay it forward was born, and the couple started approaching everyone they knew for help. It wasn’t long before the trucking company Terry works for was on board, donating a semi to take the donations north. Canadian Tire was the first company to make a donation, giving 20 tote boxes full of decorations.

The Lemprieres are hearing that the donations are gratefully anticipated in Fort McMurray, the same as the way they felt when someone helped them.

“To me it said, we are not alone, people haven’t forgotten us, and it made the difference between having Christmas and not having Christmas,” said Helga Lempriere. “Christmas can be very financially straining with the gifts and all the extra parties and that sort of thing, so to not have to worry about that, to be gifted that was huge.”

Donation locations will open across the province on October 22 with the deliver to be made on October 31, and plenty of things are needed before then.

“We have a target of 300 artificial Christmas trees, because obviously real Christmas trees are not going to survive from the first of November to Christmastime, and also any other types of ornaments, wreaths, lights, tinsel, decoration balls, wrapping paper, Christmas cards, anything like that, new only please,”

For more information, log on to the Christmas for Fort Mac website, or make a donation on the couple’s GoFundMe account.