Resilient communities are able to utilize their cumulative skills and strengths to cope and recover from problems and challenges. Never in recent memory has this been more evident than in the response to the recent devastation wrought by the fires in Fort McMurray.As first responders and frontline organizations continue to address the immediate crisis, community foundations from across Alberta are pooling their resources to create a Rebuilding Fort McMurray Fund.
Although the present emergency is still unfolding, community foundations understand that after immediate needs are met the process of rebuilding Fort McMurray will require long-term financial commitment.
People across the province, the country and, yes, around the world, are reaching out to offer help. Additionally, aid organizations like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army are demonstrating their worth by being on the ground reaching out to the many who have lost a home, business or job due to the fires. Governments, provincial and federal, have committed to matching donations to help speed up the rebuild.Solidarity and unity of purpose are the benchmarks of strong , caring communities and so in collaboration with the other Alberta Community Foundations, the Community Foundation of Northwerstern Alberta is proud to announce its participation in the Rebuilding and Renewal for Fort McMurray Fund. We have learned from previous regional disasters that, while the physical needs of the evacuees can be measured somewhat, there are short and long term social needs that will be ongoing. “Recovery will take time,” Martin Garber-Conrad, Edmonton Community Foundation’s CEO says. “We want the people affected by these tragic events to know that community foundations across Alberta are here for the long haul.”Much work will need to be done so help rebuild the kind of resilience that will give people the strength to tackle problems head on, overcome adversity, begin to move on with their lives, and reconnect with their sense of community.
Donations made at our Grande Prairie office in support of the Rebuilding Fort McMurry Fund will be channelled to the Fort McMurray community to support efforts to restore and enhance the social infrastructure of the Fort McMurray community. In the face of events that seem utterly unimaginable, resilient people can marshal the strength to not just survive, but to prosper. This we believe will be true of the great people of Fort McMurray.
Connect people. Building community. For good, and forever
Please feel free to contact me at 780-538-2820 or by replying to this e-mail to discuss how you can partner with the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta and how you can impact and inspire others in your community.Connect people. Build community. For good, and forever.
Warmest wishes, Tracey Vavrek, CEO
Community Foundations Unite for fort Mcmurray
May 10, 2016 – As first responders and frontline organizations continue to address the immediate crisis in Fort McMurray, community foundations from across Alberta are pooling their resources to create a Rebuilding Fort McMurray Fund.Although the present emergency is still unfolding, community foundations understand that after immediate needs are met the process of rebuilding Fort McMurray will require long-term financial commitment.
“Recovery will take time,” Martin Garber-Conrad, Edmonton Community Foundation’s CEO says. “We want the people affected by these tragic events to know that community foundations across Alberta are here for the long haul.”Edmonton Community Foundation has today contributed $100,000 to seed the fund and community foundations throughout the province are committing additional resources.
“Based on initial conversations with other funders, we expect the fund to quickly grow well beyond the initial contribution,” Garber-Conrad says.
This initiative is made possible by:
The Calgary Foundation — Eva Friesen, President & CEO
Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta — Tracey Vavrek, CEO
Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta — Charleen Davidson Executive Director
Banff Canmore Community Foundation — Lorraine Widmer, Executive Director
Red Deer and District Community Foundation — Kristine Bugayong, CEO
Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta — Trish Richard, Coordinator Philanthropic Services
Community Foundations of Canada — Ian Bird, President
Edmonton Community Foundation — Martin Garber-Conrad, CEO
The Fund will focus on restoring and enhancing the social infrastructure of the Fort McMurray community, especially things not covered by governments or insurance.”Canadians have shown once again just how resilient and encouraging we are,” Ian Bird, President, Community Foundations of Canada, says. “Community foundations across Alberta and our network have come together to support the long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts in Fort McMurray — working closely with others in the right way at the right time. A disaster of this scale impacts the region, but its effects are also felt much wider as so many people and families across Canada have a deep connection and sense of belonging to the Northern Alberta community.”
Community foundations will be working closely with United Way of Fort McMurray and other United Ways in Alberta to ensure rebuilding funds are used efficiently and effectively for the benefit of the community.However, given the ongoing nature of the wildfire situation in Northeastern Alberta we encourage people to continue providing support for emergency needs directly to the Canadian Red Cross or to United Way of Fort McMurray for recovery and rebuilding efforts.
For more information please contact:
Martin Garber-Conrad
Edmonton Community Foundation
Office: 780.426.0015
martin@ECFoundation.org
www.ecfoundation.org
Seniors – Happy and healthy, now and always
We were inspired to start the Dodd Harms Happy Healthy Seniors Fund because seniors hold a very near and dear place in each of our hearts.
With its small town feel and big city amenities Chrisy and Jenn feel that Grande Prairie has a lot to offer. While Chrisy has lived in the Peace Region her entire life, Jenn has called the area home since 2001. In their time here they have seen the area grow and transform into the wonderful region it is today.
Both Jenn and Chrisy are active members of the community who share a passion for helping its senior population. “Between the two of us we have lost a total of 6 grandparents. A loss this extensive is most often felt when you feel the need but cannot simply call up a grandparent or visit with them”.
It is this sense of loss and their passion for helping seniors that inspired them to start the Dodd Harms Happy Healthy Seniors Fund through the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta.
“We want to make sure that seniors in our community continue to be looked after, and we want them to know they are loved and cherished. So often the elderly can be forgotten and we want to change that. We want to be able to provide financial support to organizations that work directly with seniors.”
Through the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta Jenn and Chrisy are able to reach their goals of creating a lasting support mechanism for the senior population. The Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta is proud to be a vital part of a community that fourishes, a community that looks after its people, a community that brings value, culture, support and empathy into individual’s lives”. We applaud Jenn and Chrisy on the establishment of the Dodd Harms Happy Healthy Seniors Fund.
“Having the Community Foundation here to support the community means that Grande Prairie and area is being propelled into a community that flourishes, a community that looks after its people, a community that brings value, culture, support and more into individuals lives”. Says Jenn & Chrisy
Creating a legacy fund is easy. For more information about legacy building and how you can be involved, contact our office at 1 780 538 2820.
Nourish the North Wine & Auction -tickets available on line
Join us at the Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Center for your opportunity to connect with people who, like you, want to build this community for now and forever. An evening meticulously planned for your enjoyment with a 20/20 vision for the future.
Nourish the North Wine & Auction will provide a platform for fellowship, engagement, inspiration and philanthropy.
Here is a ‘sneak peek’ of the evening
* Enjoy tapas extraordinaire paired with fine wines
* Be inspired by our mystery guest speaker who will lead, engage and motivate
* Participate in the silent and live auctions in support of our services
TIME: 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm
COST: $150.00 per person / $1200 for a Table of 8
ATTIRE: Smart Casual
TICKETS: Call 780 538 2820 or purchase online
Because . . . Your community matters
At the Community Foundation we see many Thank you’s and letters of support from donors and their families. We also see how community matters to you . . .
We hope that by sharing these small notes of thanks from our community it is another way we can show the impact that kind words, actions or support all have a ripple effect creating a closer and stronger community where all belong.
Your Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta is community inspired.
We listen to our donors and community, and help connect people like you with local and regional organizations and causes that you care about. We want to hear from you and welcome your comments and inspired stories.