Cochrane teen Eric Osment is showing his support for wildfire evacuees by brainstorming fundraisers and trying to assemble a clean-up group.
“My heart goes out to everyone who lived (in Fort McMurray). It’s going to be a rough year for most but we as a province are strong,” Osment said over email.
“We will rebuild Fort Mac, and I promise my truck, back and boots to help make Fort Mac strong again.”
The 18-year-old Bow Valley High School student started a public Facebook page last Friday inviting people to brainstorm fundraising ideas, with the proceeds to go toward Red Cross. Osment is also asking people with previous disaster relief volunteer experience and construction experience to join, as he wants to assemble a group to assist in clean-up efforts after the wildfires are extinguished.
“I felt obligated to do something as I lived there for the first 13 years of my life. I feel for the families, these people have lost everything,” Osment said.
Osment said he started the group with the intention of gathering a group of friends to head north this summer to help with the cleanup, but after making the group public the response has been overwhelming.
“It’s becoming a larger thing than I ever expected it to be but I am grateful! I’ve gotten messages from people already clearing their summer schedules to head up north for the cleanup,” Osment said.
The teen also said he will be selling his dirt bike with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to purchasing supplies need to take to the evacuee camps.
At press time the Facebook group had 107 members.
“All sorts of help is strongly appreciated as I’ll be trying to plan events in Cochrane as well as volunteers to head up to Fort Mac soon,” Osment said.
“And I wouldn’t be able to do it without the support from Cochrane and surrounding areas.”
For more information on how to join the rebuild group go to the official Facebook page at “Summer 2016 Fort Mac Rebuild Group” or email Osment at [email protected].
