Fort McMurray Rotary Club Extends a Helping Hand to Fire-Ravaged Jasper
FORT MCMURRAY, AB. — The Fort McMurray Rotary Club is paying forward the support they received after the 2016 wildfire by helping their counterparts in Jasper rebuild after last summer’s devastating fire.
Dan Sorensen, president of the Fort McMurray Rotary Club, says local members recently met online with the Jasper Rotary Club to share lessons on wildfire recovery, community service and reseliencey.
“After our 2016 wildfire, we saw firsthand how important it was to keep making an impact on the community,” said Sorensen. “We knew the road ahead would be tough for Jasper, so we wanted to reach out and help however we could.”
That support comes in the form of a $15,000 donation to assist the Jasper Food Bank, which was destroyed in the fire. Sorensen says the funds, combined with local fundraising efforts, have grown to $32,000 to help the food bank find a new location.
“The needs don’t disappear after the flames are out,” Sorensen said. “We were fortunate to raise nearly $1 million after the Horse River wildfire to support local organizations, and we’re proud to share what we learned with Jasper.”
The virtual meeting between the two clubs was both practical and emotional, with members from both communities reflecting on the personal and professional challenges of recovering from a major disaster. Many Jasper Rotarians remain displaced, having lost homes and businesses.
“Talking with them brought back a lot of memories—some tough ones—but also a reminder of how communities pull together,” Sorensen said.
Beyond financial help, Sorensen says Fort McMurray Rotarians hope to support Jasper’s recovery through tourism.
“They told us how vital tourism is to their community. We want to encourage people to visit Jasper and experience the natural beauty that’s still there,” he said.
The Fort McMurray Rotary Club says it will continue to offer support and share lessons as Jasper navigates the long road to recovery.
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