Thunder Bay women rally donations for Fort McMurray wildfire evacuees

Residents inThunder Bay, Ont., have launched a donation drive for evacuees from FortMcMurray.

AmandaMihalussaid it started as an effort to get supplies to a few families they knew had been affected by the fire.

• 'Catastrophic' Fort McMurray wildfire surpasses 10,000 hectares
• Fort McMurray donations to the Red Cross to be matched by Ottawa, Trudeau says

But it has turned into something much bigger, with thousands of people joining a Facebook group to help out.

"Ittouched every single one of us, in one way or another. And I think we can relate a little bit more because it's happening so close to home," she said.

The Fort Mac Strong group in Thunder Bay is collecting new socks and underwear and toiletries, as well as diapers and new or gently used baby clothes.

Mihalussaid she is aware thatthe Red Cross is askingfor monetary donations, not goods,but said her group is taking a different approach.

"When we first started it was just going to be sending it to a couple of families that we knew and all of a sudden we have thousands of people saying they have things to give and not everyone has money to donate," Mihalus said.

Trucking company donates delivery costs

The group hopes to send out its first packages on Monday to Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society, and they will disperse them to "who and where they are most needed."

Atlas Movers, the trucking company, will donate all moving costs to deliver the donated goods to Alberta, Mihalus said.

The group isnot taking anything like stuffed animals or furniture "because it's not going to benefit anybody" immediately, she said.

Their wish list follows alist put out by Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society.

Donationsare being collected at various locations throughout Thunder Bay through the weekend.

People can also drop off items to 822 Hilldale Rd. in Thunder Bay where boxes and packing tape would also be welcome contributions, Mihalus said.

The groupis also looking for volunteers to sort and pack the donations.