Glacier Media, which publishes community newspapers including the Weyburn Review and Weyburn This Week, is asking its readers to contribute through FundAid, with all proceeds to go to the Red Cross. There are many ways to contribute, and the company is providing one more avenue for those who have not had the opportunity to contribute yet. The campaign is live now at http://www.fundaid.ca/fortmac, where donations may be made.
According to a news release on Thursday, the JuneWarren-Nickle’s Energy Group (JWN) and its parent company, Glacier Media, are donating $50,000 toward Red Cross efforts in Fort McMurray.
The donation is also on behalf of other individual Glacier business units, which will undertake their own awareness and fundraising efforts to help the city and its residents rebuild their community and their lives, said Bill Whitelaw, JWN president and Glacier executive vice-president.
Glacier, as one of Canada’s leading media and information services companies, has also created an integrated crowdfunding campaign, with all proceeds going the Red Cross efforts, at www.fundaid.ca/fortmac.
Glacier is deeply involved in communities across Western Canada with community newspapers and business information services, noted Tim Shoults, Glacier’s vice-president of content and audience development.
“This way, we can rally our readers, our customers and our communities to get behind the Red Cross efforts in a way that allows contributions of all sizes,” explained Shoults.
From an energy perspective, it’s important for Canadians from coast to coast to have a sense beyond the headlines of how important Fort McMurray is to the overall Canadian economy, Whitelaw said.
“It’s just not an Alberta dynamic...all Canadians need to step up and help get this engine running on all cylinders again, putting people, companies and their welfare front and centre,” said Whitelaw.
“Canada’s oilsands sector is a key part of our energy practice at JWN...we know these companies and these communities well. Like all other organizations that have stepped up with support, we want these folks to know we have their back.”
JWN produces the Oilsands Review and Oilsands Navigator as part of a broad portfolio of oilsands products and services.
“As with our industry association partners such as the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and Petroleum Services Association of Canada, we’re putting our contribution toward the Red Cross, the ensure the dollars we donate get amplified through provincial and federal contributions,” he added.
Glacier’s other business practices in mining, agriculture, environmental services and community media are also stepping up to keep the challenges Fort McMurray and the area faces in the coming weeks and months in terms of awareness, explained Whitelaw.
“In one way or another, all of our businesses touch Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo. Besting the fire was just the first among many challenges still to come.”
Heading the nation-wide fundraising effort, the Canadian Red Cross is raising funds to help with the displacement of the residents. The organization is currently focusing on providing financial assistance to Fort McMurray evacuees who need basic items, such as mattresses, toiletries and diapers, and are looking at how to support residents once they are allowed to return to their community.
Donations can be made by texting the word “REDCROSS” to 30333 to make a $5 donation.
