As the wildfire on Oldfield Road enters its third week, a group of residents from Retirement Miramichi Inc. (RMI) has come together to donate to the hardworking firefighters.

Irma Savoie said she felt compelled to do something for the firefighters who came from all over to help with the blaze. With help from her neighbour, Gail Lapointe, they began canvassing their neighbourhood and gathered donations of money, drinks, and food with the intention of delivering them to City Hall. But before they could deliver them, the City asked that people stop bringing donations because they had become inundated. Irma was determined to help and contacted the Fire Department, convincing them to come and pick up the donations.

Irma said donations of drinks and food flowed in from residents of RMI as well as cash donations. She said that within a week over $600 in cash was collected, and one of the RMI employees made a trip to Costco to buy non-perishable food that could be given to the firefighters. They also received a large card that says “Thank You,” signed by all the donors. Irma noted that some people donated who really couldn’t afford it, but they were determined to help as much as they could out of appreciation.

Three members of the Miramichi Fire Department arrived on Winnipeg Crescent on August 20 to collect the donations and meet the organizers. Pictured from left to right are Corey Shaddick, Irma Savoie, Justin Murdock, Gail Lapointe, and Travis Conroy.