Province, Wood Buffalo centralizing collection and distribution of donations

Province releases plan for managing donations The province has released their plans to centralize donations for Fort McMurray evacuees.

The Alberta government and officials with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo announced Tuesday that they had partnered with an agency that would coordinate collection and distribution of badly needed donations for Fort McMurray residents.

Officials said Tuesday that the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Canada had partnered with the province and municipality to handle donations for residents evacuated from the Fort McMurray area in May due to a massive wildfire.

ADRA will receive, sort, store, catalogue and distribute material donations for those affected by the wildfire. The organization is expected to reach out to other organizations to coordinate donations from across Alberta.

The province said Albertans are encouraged to donate the following items: canned meat, peanut butter, baby food and formula, new baby bottles, new pillows, new towels, basic first aid kits, children’s shoes, sanitary wipes or multi-surface wipes, and water.

Anyone wishing to donate items for Fort McMurray residents are asked to call 310-4455 for instructions, and those interested in volunteering at the Alberta Wildfire Donation Centre, operated by ADRA in Edmonton needs to register online.

Donations can be dropped off at the centre, located at 17306 129 Avenue in Edmonton.