Alberta News and Stories
Canadian Red Cross opens appeal to help Albertans impacted by wildfires
- The Canadian Red Cross has opened the 2023 Alberta Fires Appeal to help provide assistance to people across the province who have been impacted by wildfires.
A Volunteer Journey
- Joe Michielsen is entering his third decade as a volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross in southern Alberta. Discover why he thinks “volunteering is the best job”.
Language, culture, and mental health support following a disaster
- Guy Choquet, the Red Cross Director of Operations, Alberta Fire Recovery in Fort McMurray was one of thousands of people evacuated when flood waters came into the downtown area on April 26, 2020.
Choquet was also instrumental in supporting the Flood Collaborative, a group of local community organizations that formed to identify and address any gaps in services as residents began the recovery process.
How two Canadian Red Cross nurses supported Alberta's COVID-19 response
- After 38 years as a registered nurse, George Rudancyz came out of retirement to help the Canadian Red Cross COVID-19 response.
"I have extensive training in critical care that I should not just hold back,” says Rudancyz, explaining his decision. “I just want to help. I am glad to help. I should offer my time and skill to others."
Indigenous Swimming and Water Safety program expands in Alberta
- The pandemic provided opportunities for program instructors to innovate and expand delivery of water safety and injury prevention courses in Indigenous communities, says Kailee Berezowski, a program coordinator for the Canadian Red Cross Indigenous Swimming and Water Safety program in Alberta.
Friendly Calls program expands in Alberta
- “Right away people are telling you, ‘I'm so thankful that you called. I was not expecting any other calls this week.’ They are happy to hear from us.”
That is the way Luisa Castro, the provincial coordinator of the Virtual Support Team describes the reaction of participants in the Friendly Calls program.
From Alberta Fire evacuee to Red Cross Responder for the B.C. Floods response
- Brian Boyes is in Kamloops, British Columbia with the Canadian Red Cross as part of the logistics team at the Reception Centre for people evacuated from their homes. He knows what they are going through because he and his wife Angela were two of some 80,000 people who had to flee the wildfire that descended on Fort McMurray in 2016.
Making a difference for Canadians’ well-being
- Cindy Chiu volunteers to support the Health Equipment Loans Program and the Friendly Calls Program, two vital Red Cross community health and well-being services in Alberta.
“The most rewarding part about volunteering with HELP is hearing people express their gratitude for the equipment they received; how it greatly aided in their recovery or helped them continue to live independently.”
Five inspiring stories mark five years of resilience and progress after Alberta wildfires
- Disasters affect people in different ways, but it is clear that hope, gratitude and determination prevail in stories of the devastating 2016 wildfires in Fort McMurray and the surrounding region. There are many stories of people helping people in the region, but the five following stories showcase the power of humanity at its best.
Fort McMurray and Area Floods: One Year Update
- When spring flooding forced thousands to leave their homes in northern Alberta last year, seniors living in downtown Fort McMurray were hit hard. Luana Bussieres, executive director of St. Aidan’s Society in Fort McMurray, says the organization is grateful for the support offered by the Red Cross to help seniors along their path to recovery after the flooding.
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