As flames began to encroach on Fort McMurray earlier this month, Maligne Canyon Restaurant and Gift Shop manager Nadia Helmy remembers crying as she watched footage of the fires on the evening news.
鈥淚 was literally thinking that we just had to do something,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 saw a lot of businesses across Alberta donating a portion of their sales to the cause, and I said we just have to do something like that.鈥�
After bringing the idea to her father, Galal Helmy鈥� owner and operator of the restaurant and gift shop鈥搃t was decided the two would host a buffet dinner with all the proceeds going to the Red Cross for Fort McMurray fire relief.
About 125 people gathered at the restaurant, May 19, raising $5,685. The money was acquired through ticket and bar sales along with donations.
鈥淓ven my staff added in whatever tips they made during the dinner,鈥� Helmy said.
The manager also added that the evening wouldn鈥檛 have went off so seamlessly if it weren鈥檛 for the outpouring of community support she received during the days prior to the event. Some of the businesses she thanked specifically were the Jasper Brewing Company for beer donations and selling tickets, Tekarra Color for printing tickets, Wild Orchid Salon for also selling tickets, and the Jasper Fire Department for volunteering their time to help with the event.
鈥淚 think it was so great the way the whole town supported our idea and then wanted to be a part of it,鈥� Helmy said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e proved that we can come together in times of tragedy, but I鈥檇 really like to see the community come together like this more often.
鈥淲e shouldn鈥檛 just come together when times are bad.鈥�
Helmy gave a special nod of recognition to Jasper fire chief Greg Van Tighem who took the evening as an opportunity to showcase a presentation on the importance of emergency preparedness. He reminded the crowded room that while the municipality is prepared for various types of emergencies, it is also the responsibility of residents to be ready for whatever disaster might strike. He urged people to always have a 72-hour emergency kit, a full tank of gas and a plan to keep track of loved ones.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not exempt from fire in Jasper, so please be prepared,鈥� Van Tighem said.
As of press time, fire conditions in northeastern Alberta remained extreme with 18 wildfire burning, one of them out of control. Fort McMurray, Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates, Fort McMurray First Nation, Fort McKay First Nation and some camps north of Fort McMurray remain under a mandatory evacuation order.
A preliminary re-entry plan has been established and it is anticipated that residents can begin going home June 1.
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
