FORT MCMURRAY – Several Building Trades of Alberta affiliates and community members have donated items ranging from non-perishable food items, to new clothing, toiletries, thousands of water bottles and more to help those displaced because of flooding in Fort McMurray.

The items, collected by the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 488, are heading north tomorrow morning from Edmonton in an effort to help the community recover from yet another devastating disaster.

“Many of the folks suffering in Fort McMurray have lost their homes and businesses, some for the second time since the wildfire just four years ago,” said BTA executive director Terry Parker.

“The Building Trades of Alberta is a large part of the Fort McMurray community, with many members living and working in the area, and to see such extreme damage done once again is as heartbreaking as it is unimaginable. Tomorrow’s donations will be followed by more in the weeks to come from other BTA affiliates that are currently gathering items.”

Tomorrow’s haul includes items donated by BTA, UNITE HERE! Local 47 and UA Local 488. Earlier this week, Teamsters Local 362 delivered many food items to the Wood Buffalo Food Bank in its Kenworth rig.

BTA proudly represents more than 60,000 skilled tradespersons from 18 union locals across the province.

30

For more information:

Tyler Bedford, BTA director of communications and relations: 780-298-7626