Salvation Army serves Slave Lake evacuees
In the wake of a wildfire that destroyed more than half of Slave Lake, Alberta, Edmonton's Salvation Army has been flooded with phone calls from individuals offering assistance to the town's 7,000 evacuees.
"We've had a tremendous response from across the country from people wanting to step up and assist," says public relations officer Captain Pam Goodyear. "I had a call from a woman in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, who wanted to come and walk babies. We have also had countless calls from people collecting clothes and mobile cooking units."
Meanwhile, volunteers from the Army and the Canadian Red Cross are working around the clock at temporary relief centres erected at the Westlock Community Hall, Athabasca's Multiplex and the Edmonton Expo Centre. Providing hot food, coffee, showers, diapers and pain pills, as well as organizing shuttles to pharmacies and stores, trained staff are also available for those needing prayer or counselling.
"Obviously people in this situation go through a difficult time," says Goodyear. "They're not totally aware of all they've lost and how to handle it all. We're here on site providing pastoral care."
On Sunday, May 15, 80-kilometre Alberta wildfires swept through Slave Lake, wiping out more than half the town in a disaster being compared to Hurricane Katrina.
"We rely on our neighbours when we go through challenges, but when they're all facing the same difficulty, it's devastating," says Goodyear.
The fire ignited just east of the town of 7,000 late Sunday night, forcing a mass exodus. Despite the destruction of hundreds of homes in addition to the town hall, library and city hall, no one has been reported injured.
"We are all hanging in there," Slave Lake mayor Karina Pillay-Kinnee told the CBC.
Forty local firefighters were joined by 120 from across the province to fight the flames which eventually split in two and circled the town, cutting off Highways 2 and 88. By Monday, the fire had destroyed 22 hectares.
"I don't know when in history we've evacuated at least 7,000 people in such a short period of time," Premier Ed Stelmach told reporters after touring the town Monday afternoon. "We've had large grass fires, we've had forest fires, but not so many homes lost."
Slave Lake evacuee Mary Brown was one of thousands transported to Athabasca. "Is there a feeling for something like this? We have to believe in the God up above," she told the CBC. "We had such a good day in church and ... in six hours, everything was taken away from us. So we are trying to cope the best way we know how."
While a permanent solution is yet to be determined, The Salvation Army is currently asking for monetary gifts. "Immediate needs are being met, but with financial donations we can help more long term," says Goodyear. "Once we hear of other needs, we will get the word out right away."
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