As tragic and heartbreaking as it has been to watch Fort McMurray and the surrounding area smolder and choke from a massive wildfire, we should be proud of our response as Jasperites and Canadians.
Within hours of the mandatory evacuation residents and businesses in Jasper were already stepping up offering accommodations, food, clothing and raising money to support the relief effort.
Everywhere we went we heard about another business or organization pooling their resources to help those who have been displaced by the wildfire.
Organizations like the Jasper Lion鈥檚 Club decided to use some of the money raised during their annual bike auction to help, others like Mountain Air donated free underwear and socks and offered steep discounts to a couple who lost both of their properties, while the majority of restaurants in town were either raising money or offering free meals for anyone from Fort McMurray.
While each fundraiser and individual effort should be commended, there鈥檚 no better example of Jasper鈥檚 generosity and support than the lemonade stand that popped up on Connaught Drive, May 7.
Over the course of four hours, children, parents, family, friends and complete strangers came together and managed to raise more than $5,000, not because the lemonade was amazing鈥揳lthough it may have been鈥揵ut because it meant something to people.
From the firefighters who showed up in their ladder truck, to the bus load of high school graduates who stopped on their way to prom, the event was proof that once again this community has the gumption and the heart to help those who need it the most.
For many of us the tragic circumstances in Fort McMurray have also been a wake-up call.
As most of us already know Jasper is not immune when it comes to wildfires and other natural disasters and thus the onus is on us to heed the advice from emergency officials and be prepared to evacuate in a moments notice.
The first and most important step is to ensure you have at least half a tank of gas in your vehicle at all times. It鈥檚 also critical to have a 72-hour emergency kit packed and ready to go and follow the orders of emergency personnel. On May 18, the municipality will be holding an information night about the mountain pine beetle situation and emergency preparedness. The event will be held at the Jasper Activity Centre at 7 p.m.
We鈥檙e fortunate that we have the foresight to think about these things now, because the next time it could be us.
