By Roger White

‘Fort Mac Monday’ fondly remembered

May 2, 2017 | 2:33 PM

One year ago, the people of Fort McMurray were staring down a wall of flame.

The wildfire forced more than 90,000 residents to evacuate their homes and destroyed more than 2,400 structures in its path.

However, with all the stories about devastation and loss, there were an equal amount of hope and kindness as Canada rallied behind the community with prayers and financial aid.

“It was unreal watching the footage and hearing the stories from those who were forced out of their home,” said Q98 Program Director Nic Fransoo. “Many of these people lost everything and literally left with just the clothes on their backs.”

The Battlefords and Meadow Lake stepped up with relief supplies and support for the residents of Fort mac, which included a fundraising venture by the Jim Pattison Broadcasting Group of stations which included CJNB/CJNS, 93.3 The Rock and Q98.

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“It was an idea we came up with that on Monday May 6, we would be have staff collect donations from the area and give all proceeds to the Canadian Red Cross to help the community recover,” Fransoo remembered. “It was known as Fort Mac Monday and boy did the community come through.”

In just four hours, Fort Mac Monday over $34,000 was collected in front of the radio station as people lined up to show their support for the charred city of Fort McMurray.

“It was phenomenal, the outpouring of kindness from the area, “Fransoo added. “We had big donations and we had small donations but it all added up.”

Fransoo added that while he was proud of the results of Fort Mac Monday, he added he hopes we never have to raise money for a cause like the Fort Mac Wildfire again.

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW