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Fire Aid Event Wood Buffalo Rocks Raises Around $2 Million, Proceeds Go To United Way

The Fire Aid event Wood Buffalo Rocks was a smashing success, and the United Way can definitely use the proceeds to help out members of the community in need and those who have lost most if not all of their property and belongings because of the wildfire that swept through Wood Buffalo. Many who were evacuated came home to nothing, with everything destroyed or turned into ash. Fire Aid for Fort McMurray was a benefit concert held on June 30, 2106 in Edmonton at the Commonwealth Stadium. Wood Buffalo residents could watch the entire event for free though, right at MacDonald Island Park. The event sold over 30,000 tickets and the United Way is expected to receive around $2 million as a result.

After the Wood Buffalo Rocks Fire Aid event the local director for the United Way, Diane Shannon, expressed her patriotism and pride in her country, saying “The spirit of Canada has never been stronger and deeper. On Canada Day, I hope you sing O Canada as you’ve never sung it before.” Mayor Melissa Blake addressed the Edmonton crowd at the stadium and told them “I love the crowd. I love the energy. I love what’s happening. Absolutely outstanding. We love you right back.” There si no denying that the residents of Wood Buffalo could use a little entertainment after their forced evacuation and everything else that they have gone through recently. The event was a welcome break from the process of recovering and rebuilding, and the residents needed a little time off with some great distractions.

June 29 Fire Aid for Fort McMurray Will Feature Nickelback as Headline Act

On June 29 Fire Aid for Fort McMurray will take place at the Commonwealth Stadium and the lineup is incredible so far. Canadian group Nickelback has agreed to be the headlining act and the event is being held to raise funds which will be used to help the Fort McMurray community recover from the wildfire and forced evacuation. Tickets went on sale yesterday, May 30, and they are available through Ticketmaster. On the website for Ticketmaster there is also an option to purchase tickets to the event and then donate them to Fort McMurray residents, and any tickets which are donated will be given away to deserving Fort McMurray community members by the United Way. The TD Bank Group has already donated half a million dollars for fire aid and other organizations are also expected to donate financial resources as well.

Nickelback is not the only group who will take part in the Fire Aid for Fort McMurray event. The concert roster includes Dean Brody, Blue Rodeo, Corb Lund, High Valley, the Rankin Family, Ian Tyson, Dallas Smith, High Valley, Randy Bachman, Dear Rouge, Brett Kissel, Alan Doyle, and the Sadies. The event capacity is between 40,000-45,000. One volunteer committee member who helped organize the fire aid concert, Tim Shipton, explained “You really can move mountains and move aside self-interest for the greater good. It will bring together the community in support and celebration of that amazing city to the north Fort McMurray.” Another committee member, Jeff Parry, noted that the funds raised would not be enough to cover the full recovery efforts. “No matter what we raise here in the millions it’s going to be a Band-Aid compared to the billions needed. When your barn’s burned down you just go (rebuild) it and get ‘er done. Ask not what your province can do for your province but what you can do for your province.”