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Local resident uses Facebook group to aid Fort McMurray evacuees
May 12, 2016 · 0 Comments
Written By: Jasen Obermeyer
An Orangeville resident used his Facebook group to gather donations throughout Southern Ontario for the victims of the Fort McMurray wildfire.
James Hope, 22, created the Facebook truck enthusiast group 519TRUCKS, with a membership of 24,000 across Southern Ontario. For three days he traveled to various towns and cities in Ontario such as London, Owen Sound and Fergus, accepting donations for those affected by the wildfire.
His efforts and those of others who pitched in resulted in two transport trucks full of various items ranging from diapers and toiletries to food, water and clothes. He personally put nearly 2,000 kilometres on his truck.
Mr. Hope said he took on the task because he has friends out there.
“I’ve heard stories of friends saying they’ve lost their friends’ houses and everyone’s just kind of falling apart and they’ve been left with nothing.”
Hope said he feels great to be able to help those in need. “I felt that we should make a difference and help somebody out.” He said everyone feels better when coming together.
Although he is happy with his contribution, he said it couldn’t have been done without everyone else that helped. “We needed them. It wasn’t just me, it was everybody else involved that pitched in and took their time.”
The donations were taken to Cam-Scott International, a Whitby-based trucking company that shipped it to the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services.
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