Fort McMurray wildfires: Young Islanders pitch in to help

Two young Islanders are doing what they can to raise money for those affected after the devastation in Fort McMurray.

Emerson Hammill, 7, from St.Patricks, askedgueststo bring donations for the Canadian Red Cross efforts in Fort McMurrayinstead of presents to her birthday party this weekend.

"[I'm] very proud," said mom Marsha Hammill.

"She's been seeing it a lot on the news and she just couldn't believe that some of these children have lost everything. So that was her way to help out."

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They donated a total of $266 to the Canadian Red Cross in P.E.I. on Tuesdayafternoon.

'A raindrop of hope'

In Souris,19-year-old Breanna Chinghas started cutting out blue raindrops, complete with encouraging notes and $5, that she plans to send toBeacon Hill School in Fort McMurray.

On the raindrops, she's writing the names of the donors and their home province.

Ching chose Beacon Hill School because she heard it was quite impacted by the fires.

"I couldn't watch the news and see all that devastation and then just continue on with my life, so I had to do something," said Ching.

"When they said that rain was the only hope for this fire, I thought, 'Well I can't make physical rain come, but maybe I can them a raindrop of hope in another sense.'

"I want every kid to be given a little encouragement as they begin to rebuild their life. If they can receive this note, and smile, then mission accomplished. There might not be a lot to smile about when they return but I want to provide them with at least a little something."

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