On June 23, 2010 the Community Foundation announced the Flood Relief 2010 Fund, in support of those affected by the devastating flooding in Medicine Hat, Irvine and Cypress County. Since then the outpouring of community support from individuals, families and businesses has been tremendous.

Most recently the local accounting firm of Johnston Morrison Hunter & Co LLP presented a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to directly support those affected by the flood. This brings the total amount of the fund to nearly $45,000. “JMH is and always has been very involved in our community in our 94 years in Medicine Hat and area. Like many other Hatters, our staff and partners were looking for a way to create an impact that would benefit the most people and we know that the Community Foundation has the capability to ensure this will happen,” says partner Kelly Byers.

Community Foundation executive director Mike Christie highlighted: “We are not a charity that makes knee jerk decisions, we carefully assess what the needs are and how we can best meet those needs with the funds we have available. The municipalities, the Canadian Red Cross and numerous other agencies dealt with the immediate needs, the Disaster Recovery Program is the entity that should provide the bulk of the recovery program and the purpose of the Community Foundation’s funds is to support the medium and long term effects, which can be overlooked.

“JMH is among several local organizations that have made generous contributions in support of flood relief. We applaud their leadership and ability to see the longer term implications of the flood, which is what these funds will help to alleviate.” says Christie.

Charitable tax receipts will be issued for all donations to the fund. Donations can still be made at the Community Foundation office located at 430-6th Ave. SE, room 104, branches of TD Bank, Canadian Western Bank, Servus Credit Union or either of the Co-Op Locations. Online donations can also be made through the Canada Helps icon on the foundation website, www.mhcf.ca.

For more information, please contact the office at (403) 527-9038.