A5

By JENNIFER DUNVILLE
dunville.jennifer@dailygleaner.com

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A number of recent emergencies and disasters, including the flooding of the St. John River, has prompted Canadians to donate a substantial amount to the Canadian Red Cross.

Enlarge Photo

STEPHEN MACGILLIVRAY PHOTO

THAT’S A BIG CHEQUE: Present for Wal-Mart Canada’s donation of more than $1.7 million are, from left: Brian Pursey, Wal-Mart district manager; Robert Wicks, Wal-Mart northside store manager; Louise Castonguay, director of the Red Cross in New Brunswick; and Red Cross volunteers Gordon Boone and Dwain McLean.

Customers of Wal-Mart Canada were invited to add $1 donation to their purchases for the Red Cross's disaster relief program during a month-long fundraising event in August.

Wal-Mart's corporate office matched each individual store's contribution, up to $2,000.

More than $1.7 million was raised, which will be used to replenish the Red Cross's supplies that were depleted throughout the year.

"Simply put, we wouldn't be able to respond without donations like this," said Bill Lawlor, director of disaster services for the Atlantic Canadian Red Cross. "Donations such as this help us in our efforts to recruit and train volunteers, as well as equip our offices with supplies needed for house fires, evacuations, flooding and other disasters."

Robert Wicks, manager of the northside Wal-Mart, said the $1.7-million donation represents a 28 per cent increase over what Wal-Mart Canada raised last year for the Red Cross.

Wicks said Wal-Mart employees have tried to top the amount they raised in previous years and this year was no exception.

"The fundraising is a lot of fun for our employees because they like to turn it into a competition to see who can raise more," Wicks said. "The best part about it all is everyone knows all the money goes to a great cause."

Dwain McLean, who has been a volunteer with the Red Cross for more than five years, said he's proud to live in a community that recognizes the Red Cross as a valuable organization.

"I've seen first-hand what it is the Red Cross does, so knowing the community supports that is a great feeling," McLean said. "This donation will certainly go a long way in training more volunteers and making sure the Red Cross has supplies on hand at all times, in case disaster strikes."

Red Cross volunteers assisted residents in the Fredericton area during the evacuation of the flood plains along the St. John River last spring.

They housed the evacuees for days in emergency shelters, provided them with food and water, and assisted in the clean-up efforts.

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside said he shutters when he thinks about what could've happened had the Red Cross not been available to help.

"Whenever there's a crisis or emergency the Red Cross is always the first on the scene and I think Canadians recognize that, which is why we're seeing such large donations go to the organization," Woodside said.

"Seeing everyone team up to help the Red Cross - from the big corporate guys to the little guys and everyone in between - doesn't surprise me. This is the kind of support and team work that is typical of Canadians and something I expect we'll continue to see every year."