The agriculture community turned out in full force to Agriculture For Life’s Rural Rally in Airdrie to help out the residents of Fort McMurray who have been displaced by wildfires.
Over 400 people showed up for the event at UFA on May 11th raising $15,206 in the process with all proceeds going to the Red Cross in support of evacuees.
Ag For Life CEO Luree Williamson tells Rural Roots Canada the event was a collaborative effort.
“The agriculture community is famous for rallying together for friends and neighbours in difficult times and good times. But in difficult times we really see them rally together and tonight was a testament to that,” says Williamson.
Alberta Beef Executive Director Rich Smith says they were happy to be a part of this event.
“We feel for the people of Fort McMurray and we know the trouble they have gone through. As an industry we have been in trouble and the people of Alberta have always stood by our industry and helped us, so we wanted to give back, we wanted to help out where we could here,” says Smith.
Olds area resident Dustin Farr and Air 106.1 Airdrie kept spirits high at the fundraiser by providing entertainment.
Among the songs Farr performed was his freshly written tune, ‘We Are Alberta’, which he wrote after seeing all the support for the evacuees on social media. He is currently working on getting the song on to I-Tunes and using the money to help out evacuees.
Sponsors of the event included; AdFarm, Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Wheat Commission, ATCO Group, Big T’s BBQ & Smokehouse, Bon Ton Meat Market, Cam Clark Ford, Engel’s Bakeries Ltd., Federated Co-op, Great Events Rentals, Hunterhorn Bakery, Rocky Mountain Equipment, Save-On-Foods, Shamsane Pita Bakery, The Little Potato Company, TransCanada Corporation and UFA Co-operative.
