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Province praises heroism of care partners
during Fort McMurray fire

May 11th, 2017

Care partners at Points West Living’s operations group Connecting Care have been recognized for their heroism during last May’s devastating forest fires in Fort McMurray. The staff at Rotary House Seniors Lodge received a certificate of commendation from the Province of Alberta for their role in safely and quickly moving 38 residents to appropriate accommodations far from the fires. 

Praise for heroic acts

Wanda Sullivan, a longtime member of the Points West Living/Connecting Care management team and now Connecting Care’s ‘Public Housing Not-for-profit Mentor’, received specific praise from Lori Sigurdson, Minister of Seniors and Housing. “During the wildfire,” said the minister at the May 5th presentation, “I had the opportunity to visit the seniors evacuated from Fort McMurray. I learned about all the heroic acts by staff to support the lodge residents. Today, we thank these people for all that they’ve done—like Wanda Sullivan, who drove hours in the middle of the night to ensure these seniors got the care they needed.”

Getting residents out was just the beginning

Wanda recalls that night. "Our only concern was making sure the lodge residents were taken safely out of harm’s way and were welcomed and made comfortable in other accommodation."  

"Everyone involved in the response demonstrated such care and compassion for our senior residents,” adds Wanda, and now a full year after the events, she is still filled with gratitude and admiration. “Many joined us in welcoming and accommodating the evacuees and other seniors to Eagle Hill Foundation (EHF) lodges following the evacuations.”

“Kathy Conway (EHF recreation) and Ruth Charlton (EHF Healthcare Aide) took the handivan from Two Hills to Lac la Biche to collect evacuees who had been taken there by bus from Fort McMurray. Between the handivan and my car we got all 18 home to the EHF lodges in Willingdon and Myrnam, dropping off the last few just after midnight. Lodge supervisors Sandra Charchun and Delores Wiwad ensured the seniors were well cared for over the next months. Following the initial intake, Nancy Lawrence welcomed more evacuees to the EHF lodge in Two Hills as families struggled to cope with homes for their parents.”

Residents are the true heros

“Residents of these homes were so kind and assisted the evacuees in many ways, as did all of the volunteers within the Two Hills County who did so much in such a short timeframe to assist,” Wanda concludes. “Those uprooted seniors are the true heroes and we were blessed to have been able to assist them during their time of need.” 

Photo: Alberta Minister of Seniors and Housing, Lori Sigurdson (right) presents Wanda Sullivan (centre) a certificate for Eagle Hill Foundation. Nancy Lawrence (Hillside Lodge) is in the background along with Maggie Farrington.

Links: Government of Alberta Media Release; FortMcMurrayToday.com

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