Summit GM is giving away $1000 per week for 52 weeks, to the Fort McMurray community, as part of our Summit GM Gives Back program.
We’ve loved being part of the community for the last several years, and want to go a step further. Applications are open, and we would love to hear from you.
But for now, here are the four Wood Buffalo organizations that will be receiving $1,000 each for the month of May:
Autism Society
Of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
The Autism Society RMWB began as a support group created by parents of children with ASD. Since then, the group has established Kids First Camp – a specialized program to meet the unique needs of children in RMWB through a summer camp many kids would otherwise not be able to attend.
In 2014, the group partnered with the Autism Society of Alberta to provide community events for children and families. Continuing to develop, a Board was formed in 2016 and the group opened an office and began plans to form a Society.
In 2017, the group received their certificate of incorporation through the Government of Alberta and became a registered charity.
Habitat for Humanity
Wood Buffalo
Habitat for Humanity offer affordable housing to those in need. Through reduced reliance on Social Services, as well as better educational and employment outcomes, Habitat homeowners are happier, healthier and more financially secure.
Families who partner with Habitat purchase their home through an affordable mortgage and complete at least 500 volunteer hours with Habitat.
The group also partners with Indigenous communities in Wood Buffalo to improve the living conditions of Indigenous communities on and off reserve, to introduce sustainable housing.
Local Hero Foundation
The Local Hero Foundation began in 1991, when Pheonix Heli-Flight began providing ad-hoc helicopter medevac service to the Wood Buffalo region. Since then, thousands of patients have received care for motor vehicle collisions, workplace accidents, medical emergencies and more.Prior to 2013, medevac operations were limited to daylight hours and specific weather conditions, however as the population and level of activity in Wood Buffalo increased, a higher level of service was needed.
Since 2013, the Local HERO (Helicopter Emergency Response Organization) Foundation has had the goal of providing 24/7 dedicated medevac helicopter coverage for the region. In 2014, the foundation acquired a new EC135 T2+ helicopter equipped with night vision capability, and has flown 350 medevac missions in the last five years.
Westview Public School
Breakfast Program
The Breakfast Program at Westview public school in Fort McMurray, has been providing nutritious breakfasts to students for the past five years. The service is free for all, and gives students the energy to start their day right and learn throughout the day.
Teachers have noticed improved learning outcomes, as well as social benefits for children who take part in the program. Many children would otherwise not have a nutritious meal to start the day, and the program provides cold cereal, milk, juice, and fruit to fuel student’s eager young minds, as well as special menu’s such as pancakes.
Westview Public School relies on community sponsors to make this all possible, and we are proud to support them and our other partners, and contribute to the future of Fort McMurray's children.
