CORNWALL, Ontario – Local residents who want to help their fellow Canadians escaping the torrent of flames in Fort McMurray can make donations to the local Red Cross office.
Debbie Sauve, executive director of the Cornwall Red Cross office, said residents can drop off a monetary donation, or go online to make an offering to help those displaced in Alberta.
“We’re not accepting in-kind donations of food, clothing and other donations at this time,” she said.
But, Sauve added if a large in-kind donation is available then people organizing the ‘Alberta fire appeals’ collection can be contacted at 1-800-418-1111 to make arrangements.
Residents can also make donations by texting 30333 ($5) or 45678 ($10), said Sauve.
An estimated 1,600 structures have been burned and more than 80,000 residents forced from their homes ahead of the flames, which are expected to continue burning into the weekend.