There is a "Platter that Matters" at The Loft Society office in Innisfail. And the community has responded with overwhelming generosity. More than $1,200 has been collected to help Fort McMurray adults with developmental disabilities.
There is a "Platter that Matters" at The Loft Society office in Innisfail.
And the community has responded with overwhelming generosity. More than $1,200 has been collected to help Fort McMurray adults with developmental disabilities.
"That's what we got in just two and a half days," said Darcy McAuley, the agency's facilitator, noting there is not only cash donations, but gift and prepaid credit cards from generous citizens. "I am surprised how quickly we got it. It has come from more people than just staff. We've had people coming in off the street to donate. Every person who has donated we have thanked them on Facebook. And there is more help to come for Fort McMurray's displaced vulnerable citizens.
The Loft Society, a not-for profit organization at 5124 - 49 Avenue that caters to adults with developmental disabilities, is opening its doors to house up to 14 displaced Fort McMurray citizens and their family members with developmental disabilities. The society is turning its office into a fully equipped and stocked two-bedroom apartment that will be able to accommodate six people. They will move their offices into a back room.
And they are also getting a 35-foot holiday trailer that will be placed behind their office. It will be able to accommodate eight more Fort McMurray citizens.
"There has been a lot of people and animals that have been displaced by the wildfire in Fort McMurray but you can't forget the vulnerable," said Deanna Campbell, treasurer for the The Loft Society, who is also the Innisfail program supervisor for the P.R.O.S Agency, a privately operated organization headquartered in Elnora that supports adults with developmental disabilities. "You take a person from there and it (wildfire) is going to have a huge impact on their lives in so many different ways than regular folks. We are just reaching out to the community that we understand and know."
Campbell said she has had discussions with the Elnora office about what they can offer for displaced Fort McMurray families. She expects to hear an answer this week about the Fort McMurray citizens the agency can help.
In the meantime, The Loft is still accepting donations for its 'Platter that Matters'. Campbell said a decision has not yet been made to what relief agency the money will go to but she said at least some of it will be start up money for the displaced Fort McMurray families that come to Innisfail.
For more information on The Loft's 'Platter that Matters' fundraising drive, and its plan to house the displaced vulnerable of Fort McMurray, go to the agency's Facebook page – 'The Loft Society'. Citizens can also phone the agency Monday to Friday at 403-227-2885.
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Deanna Campbell, treasurer for The Loft Society
"There has been a lot of people and animals that have been displaced by the wildfire in Fort McMurray but you can't forget the vulnerable. You take a person from there and it (wildfire) is going to have a huge impact on their lives in so many different ways than regular folks."
