The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild today announced that $15,635 was raised as part of the team event held at the BMO Harris Bank located at 5050 France Ave. South in Edina on May 26 to help support people affected by the devastating wildfires around Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada. Wild players Erik Haula, Zach Parise, Jason Pominville, Nate Prosser, Jared Spurgeon and Jason Zucker signed autographs for fans who donated $50 and the Minnesota Wild Foundation donated an additional $5,000 to the Red Cross.
All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Red Cross to support those affected by the wildfires in Alberta, Canada.Jared Spurgeon’s wife, Danielle, is one of the thousands of people who have been impacted by the fires in Alberta. Her parents lost their home to a fire in west Edmonton in early May and helped spearhead the Wild’s effort.
To further help the community, BMO Financial Group is donating $2 million to the Canadian Red Cross to provide emergency support in the Fort McMurray region and is offering a financial relief program to customers impacted by the fires. Fans wishing to help people affected by the wildfires in Canada are encouraged to visit www.redcross.ca or www.redcross.org. Gifts enable the Red Cross to respond to and help people affected by this disaster.
Raging since May 1, the wildfires triggered the largest fire-related evacuation in Alberta’s history. More than 700 employees and volunteers of the Red Cross have been working tirelessly providing shelter, food, water, and family reunification services to people forced to flee their homes. Specially trained volunteers are offering comfort and care to those who have suffered trauma. In addition, the Canadian Red Cross has provided cash grants to more than 80,000 people affected by the wildfires to buy what they urgently need during this difficult time.
[Minnesota Wild press release]