Fort Mac

This is one of the most haunting photos I have seen of the hundreds posted online. I do not know who to give credit to as original source.

We are several hours from Fort Mac, but everyone I talk to has some connection with the city being devoured by flames right now.  Family living there. Friends working (or used to) and the camps north of the city.

The father of one of my students lives there. His house is gone.

We share stories in class or the staff room about developments we have read about and see the evac from so many different points of view.

People help in the ways that are meaningful to them. 

I read online yesterday of a list of places in Edmonton offering their help and it made me think of ways to help that I hadn't thought of before. There were the usual much needed offerings like food, shelter, water, and clothes. But I saw things like a pharmacy offering to fill prescriptions for families. Or optometrists offering glasses and contacts. Rec centers offering free admission to pools and gym and play centers. Pet stores offering food and toys.  Computer stores setting up stations in the larger shelters with free wifi.  Landlords offering houses and condos to stay in. 

So many ways people are helping.

Yesterday we had our first refuge come and register at our school. 

Word spread quickly and I heard students talking in the hall.

"I texted my mom. She said we can take him shopping for some clothes."

"I wonder if he longboards? I just got a new one and he can have my old one"

"I hope he gets put in my class. It sounds like the place he is staying is a couple blocks from me. He could use a friend"

A girl from one of the communities near ours has started a facebook page and is gathering grad dresses for the displaced class of 2016.

We had a BBQ  at work with all proceeds going to the Red Cross.

The disaster is far from being over. I can't even begin to imagine what all those people and first responders are feeling.