Tillsonburg matching donations up to $5,000 for Fort McMurray
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As tragedy continues to strike Fort McMurray, one Oxford County municipality has decided to help.
Tillsonburg has begun matching donations to the Red Cross and will be continue matching donations up to $5,000. Once the total contribution is sent to the Red Cross the federal government will then match that donation as well, meaning that for every one dollar donated, another four dollars will be matched.
“The Town of Tillsonburg, as we have done historically in times of international crisis, we’ve reached out to support our neighbours both in Canada and around the world,” Tillsonburg mayor Stephen Molnar said. “In this case the tragedies and devastating impact on both the people and the economy of Fort McMurray in Alberta, we’ve set up an opportunity for residents and businesses in and around the Town of Tillsonburg to contribute to the Red Cross.”
Molnar added that this isn’t the first time Tillsonburg has taken to helping aid those who have been struck by tragedy and devastation.
“We’ve supported Quebec in the times of ice storms, we’ve supported New Orleans in times of flooding and we’ve reached out to Asian nations regarding tsunamis in the past,” he said. “This is relatively close to home and this is how we would help our neighbours. There’s a lot of individuals and families from our community in Oxford County that have helped to create the economy of Fort McMurray in Alberta and I think this is just a very small way of demonstrating our opportunity to give back.”
Oxford County warden David Mayberry said he congratulates the Town of Tillsonburg for thinking of it and for encouraging their residents to help.
“It’s a way of building community and I think it’s an exceptionally good idea,” Mayberry said.
He added that he thought Molnar bringing it up before council was a ‘soft way’ of challenging other municipalities within Oxford County to do something similar.
“I think he was announcing it so we were aware, and I think it was a very soft and gentle nudge,” Mayberry said. “I know for sure I’ll bring it up at Southwest Oxford.”