Maritime Canadian Red Cross volunteers are making the trip west to assist those who have been affected by the ongoing wildfires in Fort McMurray.
"This is quite a commitment for volunteers to go,” said Bill Lawlor of the Canadian Red Cross Disaster Services. “They’re leaving their home, their families, their work environment on a voluntary basis to go out west to provide support."
Six volunteers are leaving to work on the ground in Northern Alberta for 21 days.
Douglas Murphy and Cosmin Dinu of Moncton, Sandra Craft and Debra Gander of Fredericton, David Hayward of New Glasgow, and Gary Lewis of Bridgewater will all be departing within the next few days.
Lawlor says more Maritimes will be deployed out west in the days to come. He says the first batch of Red Cross volunteers will have experience working in disaster zones.
Donations continue to pour into the Red Cross from every corner of the Maritimes and from across the country.
"With Fort McMurray and what's going on out there right now, our hearts are tearing for them," said Larry Lynch, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 69.
Lynch says poppy fund money can only be used in exceptional circumstances, and legion branches have decided the Fort McMurray fund qualifies.
"New Brunswick command is actually moving forward with a $5,000 donation and our branch, Branch 69, is moving forward with a $3,000 donation," said Lynch.
The Red Cross in the Maritimes says resources will also be needed to help Maritimers who have just returned from Alberta.
“We have a lot of people, as you've seen, returning home,” said Lawlor. “They're going to have some questions and they will need some answers. Naturally, they'll be coming to the Red Cross to see what we can do to support them."
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mike Cameron.
