When the fire broke out on May 3,
to do and that you have to be brave.”
Monica Thompson and Steve Russell
Goraya was one of the lucky ones
were in the process of building their
who suffered very little property loss.
retirement home in Tawatinaw, east
But in a community as small as Fort
of Westlock. With their primary
Mac, it was inconceivable to think
residence now gone, they feel the
that he wouldn’t know someone who
pressure to complete the Tawatinaw
was returning home to nothing. Two
house before winter sets in.
AMA employees whom he had evacThompson took an early retirement
uated, with only the clothes on their
package from work in order to help
backs, lost their homes. “They’ve lost so
Russell finish the
much, but they’re driven
build. “Steve needs the
and are trying to do their
The fight to
support to get this done
best under the circumsave Fort Mac
and get a roof over our
stances. They really are
united not only
heads,” Thompson says.
the unsung heroes,” he
Albertans, but
“We may not be living
says. “Everyone has been
so, so supportive. This
Canadians across in Fort McMurray in
situation has brought us
our land. Among the future, but so much
of our lives has been
together as a centre in
the flames and
here. We’ll be involved
Fort McMurray,” Goraya
ash, we learned
in the community, in
explains. “And it’s drawn
our communities one way or another.”
us closer as a family with
The fight to save
the whole of AMA.”
are braver and
Fort McMurray united
It will undoubtedly be
more resilent
not only Albertans,
a long time before life
than ever
but Canadians across
returns to normal in Fort
our land. Among
McMurray. But on July
flames, smoke and ash, we learned our
1, the community came together for
communities are braver, stronger and
the first time since the evacuation in a
more resilient than we ever thought
moment of celebration. Record crowds
possible. The outpouring of support
lined Franklin Avenue to watch the
shown by strangers, near and far, and
city’s annual Canada Day parade. The
by friends, family and neighbours
procession included marching bands,
is a story of remarkable empathy
high school grads and AMA’s colourful
and compassion. Rebuilding Fort
cityscape float. Of course, the loudest
McMurray will take a long time, but
cheers were reserved for firefighters,
it won’t be done alone. We’ll build it
police officers and other first respondtogether—Alberta strong.
ers who battled to save the city.
Melted siding and destroyed appliances after the fire
By the
Numbers
A look at the fire’s
impact and how AMA
was able to help
Food donations:
1,608 kg
Emergency relief
supplies collected
at AMA centres
2,947 kg
Replacement driver’s
licences issued:
595
Replacement birth
certificates issued:
161
Alberta Health
Care Cards issued:
197
Interactions on AMA
social media channels:
38,806
Trips rebooked for
AMA travel customers:
200
Served at Lethbridge
Pancake Breakfast
(hosted by AMA and
local emergency
service providers):
2,400 sausages
2,500 pancakes
Raised for Red Cross
by AMA and CAA
employees and members after AMA and
government matching:
$518,000
Teddy bears
given to kids:
50
photo credit
Roses distributed
on Mother’s Day:
500
Hugs given:
infinite
AMA InsIder
FALL 2016
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