The Niagara-on-the-Lake Royal Canadian Legion has raised close to $1,000 for the Jasper Legion as it attempts to assist its own membership, and the Jasper community at large, after a devastating fire ravaged the mountain tourist town this summer.
The fundraiser began Aug. 8 with donations being collected at the NOTL branch’s weekly fish fry after local executives felt compelled to act following reports the fire had destroyed homes and businesses and caused the town’s evacuation.
Starting with two separate wildfires reported on July 22 north and south of the town, they merged together three days later, resulting in a weeks-long evacuation and a wildfire Parks Canada reported as Jasper National Park’s largest in 100 years.
In the end, over one-third of Jasper’s homes and businesses were destroyed and the estimated cost of the damage has been tagged at $880 million.
The Jasper Royal Canadian Legion is one of the lucky structures to remain standing.
“It is the least we can do,” said Megan Vanderlee, first vice-president and bar chair of the NOTL Legion.
“Our legion community country-wide is a big family and we know this money, as modest as it is, will help.”
Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper lifted the evacuation alert on Aug. 17 after classifying the fire as being held.
In conversations she’s had with executive members in Jasper, Vanderlee has learned the legion is feeding around 500 people daily as people returning to the community — as well as emergency crews already on-site — wrestle with the challenges of getting by with limited regular services.
“That does not surprise me at all,” said Vanderlee of the legion’s generosity and humanity. “They are good people.”
Collections for Jasper will continue to be taken at the NOTL Legion through the Labour Day long weekend, said Vanderlee.
NOTLers can drop off donations at the legion at 410 King St. in cheque or cash form.
Donations can also be made directly to the Jasper branch via PayPal.
A link to the PayPal account can be found on the Jasper Legion’s Facebook and website pages or at paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ULKYJV8QM5TDQ.
