FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta–Credit unions in Canada have been actively raising funds and making donations to help this community as it fights a raging wildfire that continues to grow in size and has forced 90,000 people to evacuate.
Servus Credit Union reported that all of its Fort McMurray-based employees and their families are accounted for and have been safely evacuated. The two Servus branches in Fort McMurray remain closed.
Shell Employees’ Credit Union also confirmed the safety of its employees.
Meanwhile, credit unions that are raising or donating funds include:
- Servus Credit Union, which announced a $100,000 donation to the Red Cross.
- Vision Credit Union, which has donated $5,000 to the Red Cross and has opened a trust account to accept donations to the Red Cross at any of their 16 branches located in Central and Northern Alberta. Vision Credit Union said it will also be partnering with other financial institutions in Camrose to host a fundraising barbeque on May 18, and will match all proceeds raised at the event. To date, Vision Credit Union employees have collectively donated an additional $4,475.
- Shell Employees Credit Union has donated $5,987 directly to the Red Cross, representing $1 per member.
- Encompass Credit Union has made a $5,000 donation to the Red Cross.
- Mountain View Credit Union has donated $5,000 to the Red Cross Alberta Fires Appeal.
- Lakeland Credit Union said it will be hosting fundraising barbeques this week and is committing a financial donation to the Red Cross.
- Bow Valley CU donated $2,500 to the Red Cross.