The Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta set up its Immediate Assistance Fund to assist with those suffering from the economic downturn, but the program is now being utilized to help those who have been impacted by the June 18 flood.
Mike Christie, executive director for the Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southestern Alberta said they are working with Cypress County and the City of Medicine Hat to ensure the help gets to the people who need it the most in a timely and efficient manner.
"This is is a fund that was created to help people with the economic downturn for immediate funding. Now, we have been approached by Cypress County and the City of Medicine Hat to run the official fund for the entire region," said Christie.
"Our focus is for the mid- to long-term, to collect as much money as we can to help those people get back into their homes and businesses. The funds will be handed out in a fair and equitable need with those in the highest need being prioritized. Somebody who has completely lost their home is at a higher need than somebody with flooding in their basement. Those kinds of things will be part of the decision-making process," he added.
Christie also said they need to know what kind of commitment is coming from the government to help those in need.
"We need to know what kind of assistance there will be from the provincial and federal governments and how the insurance companies are going to play into it so we can get as much out of official sources first and can distribute our funds as efficiently as we can. We will react as quickly as we can," he said.
Christie also said there are a number of non-profit agencies involved with the clean-up and assisting those affected with the flood.
"Everybody first thinks of the Red Cross, but there are others who are working tirelessly; the Salvation Army, the Samaritan's Purse from Calgary has a group of people here helping with clean-up and the Mennonite Church are all helping," said Christie.
"We will look at the people with greatest need first, who have sustained uninsured losses, and will provide general compensation, especially to those who have lost their homes," he added.
Anyone interested in contributing financially can specify where the funds are applied (e.g. to Medicine Hat, Cypress County or both). To donate, visit the Community Foundation office located at 430-6th Avenue S.E., room 104. Online donations can also be made through the Canada Helps icon on the foundation website, www.mhcf.ca. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for all donations of $20 or more. For more information, contact Community Foundation at 403-527-9038.
Also those wanting to fundraise or donate goods and services, please make all donations directly to the charitable organizations in the region that are providing assistance. For more information about charitable organizations that are assisting with flood relief, call the Flood Information line at 403-502-8900 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily.