Small Businesses Donate Over $33,000 to Fort McMurray Fire Relief Efforts

By: Deanna McArthur

May 3, 2016 will be a day Albertans never forget. It was the day the Alberta government declared a state of emergency. It was the day 90,000 people were evacuated from Fort McMurray and began moving south to escape the wildfire that was sweeping the province. It was the day that some lost their homes, their businesses and their belongings.

But it was also the day Albertans came together. The day residents of neighbouring cities such as Calgary and Edmonton opened their homes to those in need. The day we showed the world what being an Albertan really meant.

The Fort McMurray fire, named the Canadian Press news story of 2016, dominated the news both locally and globally. Many individuals, governments, community groups, and corporations have generously donated money, food, clothing and more to support those affected by the devastating fires.

A number of Energy Marketers in the UTILITYnet Energy Marketer family did their part to pitch in during 2016. Every month since the fire, they donated a portion of their income on electricity consumed by customers to the Fort McMurray Food Bank and the Red Cross.

Companies who donated include:
Bow Valley Power
Brighter Futures
Camrose Energy
Choice Energy
E NRG Power
Get Energy
Park Power
Sandstone Energy
Spot Power
UTILITYnet.ca
Vector Energy

As an Alberta based company, the idea of giving back to those in need was really a no-brainer. We were and continue to be invested in the communities in which we live and work.

In 2016, donations from this group of companies totaled over $33,000. We would like to thank our customers for their continued support, without them this donation would not have been possible.

In November the Red Cross published a summary of how donations were being used to help restore hope after the fires. Below is a snapshot of some of the great things being done with the generous donations received so far.