A collective effort: Saskatchewan helps Alberta neighbours in need

The people of Saskatchewan watched closely as wildfires threatened their neighbours in northern Alberta. It wasn't long before they found ways to help.

People across the province offered their support to Fort McMurray

CBC News Posted: May 14, 2016 7:30 AM EDT | Last Updated: May 14, 2016

Water, dog food, diapers and canned food are among the donations for Fort McMurray evacuees. (CBC)

The people of Saskatchewan watched closely as wildfires threatened northern Alberta.

Theflames have since moved away from the heart of FortMcMurray, but thousands of evacuees remain displaced and their lives have been disrupted.

Here aresome of the ways localshave tried to help their neighbours:

Graduation Dress Donations

Fort McMurraygrade 12 students who were forced to leaveare exempt from writing their diploma exams. However, Saskatchewan people wanted to ensure the students would have a proper send-off. People havegathered their old graduation dressesand are sending them offto northern Alberta.

A local woman has put a call out for men's suits, formal dress wear for moms and dads, hair pieces, and makeup. She said on May 29 students will gather at the Leduc Recreational Centre to browse and try on the donations. (Jenica Brown/Submitted to CBC)

Graham DeLaetpledges money

PGA golfer GrahamDeLaet, fromWeyburn, Sask.,pledged to donate $500 to theCanadianRed Crossfor every birdie made at the Wells Fargo Championship. He made 11, bringing the total to $5,500.

Solidarity video

Saskatchewan'sMakwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation made a video to show their solidarity with and support for the Alberta community.

The school's guidance counsellor Barry Chalifoux experienced the Slave Lake, Alta., fire first hand and knew he and the kids could help encourage the people in Fort McMurray. (Barry Chalifoux/YouTube)

Comfort through quilts

Saskatchewan Quiltersstitched together withstrangersacross the nation to sendcomfortwest. A woman from Maidstone, Sask., co-ordinated the local efforts.

Each handmade quilt has been made with love. They'll vary in size from small ones that can be used as pet beds, to queen-size ones. (Submitted by Sandra Fisher)

Saskatoon Spa donates profits

All in a day's work, aspa in Saskatoon donated profits to the Canadian Red Cross. Every MC College Salon and Spa in Canada took part in the fundraiser.

It's not the first time MC College has traded a new set of nails for natural disaster relief efforts. (CBC)

QCM pledges donations

The Queen City Marathonleapt on boardwhen they pledged to donate $5 from every registration that took placefromMay 7 - 13.

U of S offers dorm room

The University of Saskatchewanopened up a dorm to provide a safe space to a family of four that fled Fort McMurray.

"I know the Fort McMurray community it's strong, it's resilient, it's vibrant and I'm sure we'll come back from this stronger than before. And we're all hopeful for the future so we're trying our best," said Abdurrahmann Murad. (CBC)

Truck loadsof donations

Saskatoon residents stocked a semi-trailerfull of supplies in theStonebridge Walmart parking lotfor Fort McMurray evacuees.

The donation drive asked for bottled water, clothes and non-perishable food. (Dan Zakreski/CBC News)

Down south, asimilar fundraiser washeld at the Regina Farmer's Market.

Shared experience

Material donations aside,Sask. residents shared their knowledge they had gained from last year's volatile fire season on this side of the border.

Saskatchewan residents shared wisdom gained from their experiences last year. This photo shows fire on the edges of Lac La Ronge, in northern Saskatchewan. (Kandis Riese/Facebook)

Music fundraiser

A 15-year-oldFort McMurray evacuee raised money for her hometown inSaskatoon. The teen and her family fled northern Alberta, and all she could grab was her guitar.

Clothing sales to Fort McMurray

Local clothing company tentree announced proceeds from their Wildfire Capsule, released in the aftermath of the 2015 Saskatchewan forest fires, will go to the victims of the Fort McMurray fire.

Local company tentree has said they will donate a portion of proceeds from the Wildfire Capsule to Fort McMurray victims. (Submitted by tentree)

What are you doing?

How has your neighbourhoodraised moneyforFortMcMurray? From bottle drives to bake sales, from concerts to clothing, we want to hear what your community has been up to.

Share your photos and stories with us by sending anemailtosaskphotos@cbc.ca.You can also tweet them to@CBCSaskatchewanor@CBCSaskatoon.

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