My Time in Fort Mac - Part 8 - "Love Letters" & Gifts

While there are many other stories that yet need to be told, some wonderful, some not so much...there is something very special I want to share today about My Time in Fort Mac.

A person never responds to a tough situation like Fort McMurray's Wildfire by thinking about the gifts they would get, but as I found out, gifts and "Love Letters" as I call them have been coming in to me in a rather big way.

From the gang at A1 Supply

These letters (emails & texts) and gifts mean the world to me. They were given to me as a direct thank you for the hours I put in as a volunteer. They are accepted and cherished by me knowing full well that I had a team behind me, but that I also did my part to bring some comfort and nourishment to those who valiantly fought the "Beast".

Forever, these special treasures, will remind me of a time that I am so grateful to have been a part of; a time when this motorcycle community supported the firefighters of Fort McMurray and all of the fire teams who came to support them as well.

From the FM Firefighters Assoc.
Coin, T-shirt & Patch

There are no words to express how full they make my heart as I remember the faces, the names, the smiles, the tears, the tiredness, the kindnesses that were shared during this tragic time in our province.

There simply are no words that can fully convey how I feel and so I want to, need to share these with you and want to understand that for whatever role you played in aiding me in my quest to help the tremendous team of Fort Mac - wherever they came from, these letters are as much for you as they are for me.

Challenge coins from the Alberta Sheriffs
Legacy Place Society, An eagle gnome bell
Coin from Glenn Chaulk; Syncrude FD,
& The Volunteer Firefighters

 ‪Jade Robinson /react-text  Betty was the first face we seen when we arrived in Fort McMurray after travelling from Calgary. She was also the first face you seen every time our rigs came back too the staging area. Thank you Betty for everything you did for us, you were appreciated!!!

‪Brock Adams /react-text ‪ She looked after us, walking the line of trucks bringing us what we needed or wanted. "Guardian Angel" is perfect, thank you Belt Drive! Thanks Global for telling her story, she deserves recognition

‪Austen Tanney /react-text ‪ She fed me 5 meals! Belt Drive Betty is amazing and a saint! Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou

Pins from Leduc City Fire and
the Alberta Sheriffs 

‪ Bronwyn Taylor /react-text ‪ This wonderful woman was like our own mama bear taking care of us for the 6 days we were there. Wonderful soul.

‪Darcy Lemieux /react-text ‪ You'll always be in our Hearts and prayers Betty keep up team up all the good work

‪Love from your friends @

‪Mac island

‪Darren MacDonald /react-text ‪ Thanks Betty. For the many nights on duty, you fed me.

‪Colin Hargrove /react-text ‪ Made me a sandwich at 4am and then gave me a hug, sure knew how to make a man cry.

‪Thanks again!!!!!!

Stuffed Firehouse Dalmation
from Jim of
Leduc City Fire Dept.

‪Trey Hale /react-text ‪ She fed my crew and I while we were there ! Absolutely amazing! Thank you from the bottom of my

‪Heart!

‪Danny Freeman /react-text ‪ Not only a Godsend but a giggle too! Thanks Betty

‪Matt Rice /react-text ‪ This is a great lady and I met her while she was in FtMac

‪Darrel Comeau /react-text ‪ I'm glad I finally got to put a face to this womans voice! We dropped off supplies and there was hot coffee ready for us, and she was sleeping on a cot with a tiny sleeping bag, curled up and freezing. So I grabbed what we had in the trailer for blankets and sleeping bags and just hope I made her a little warmer like she did for our crew. So if anyone knows her personally, tell her thank you.

A gift from Carol Conrad

‪Emmy Hoover /react-text ‪ Thank you so much for taking care of my brothers and sisters out there. You have no idea how loved and appreciated you really are. I don't even need to ask them to know. God bless you and all you do for them. You have a heart of gold sweet lady!

Candace Ash Lawlor

I understand that you have undertaken feeding and providing support to the firefighters and RCMP members who are on the ground in FMM? I'm a spouse of a retired RCMP corporal and I help run a support group for RCMP wives. I've heard from several that they have been concerned about the lack of food, etc available for our members and the other first responders so I wanted to thank you for all that you are doing and wondered if you are accepting etransfers to help provide for the first responders that I could pass along to our group to see if we can help out a bit? Unfortunately, having been through this several times with my husband deployed in the past, I know all too well that they often get forgotten in the chaos and I am so thankful that you've stepped up to make sure that isn't happening there.

‪Colton Boutin /react-text ‪ The legend. One of the first things the crew we were replacing said was the Motorcycle people will feed you. She worked hard up there. Even cleaned the bathrooms for all of us fire guys. Thanks Betty

‪Dave Roe /react-text ‪ I had a good long chat with Betty and the challenges and struggles she faced to provide food for those in the early days of this crisis. Thank you Betty for your perseverance and watching out for us. It isn't just a boost for our energy but a boost for morale to see you supporting us. Thank you

‪Brad Kelly /react-text ‪ 
I saw this woman every day I was at staging and I often wondered if she slept. Always very willing to help and do what she could for everyone.
The guys running the BBQ were non stop as well. Thank you for your support. It didn't go unnoticed and was very appreciated.

‪Catherine Bonner /react-text ‪ This gal fed my hubby, Rob Bonner and the boys in the middle of the night. She slept on a cot and wouldn't leave making sure everyone and anyone fighting the fire were fed any time, day or night. What a woman!

‪Emmy Hoover /react-text ‪ Thank you so much for taking care of my brothers and sisters out there. You have no idea how loved and appreciated you really are. I don't even need to ask them to know. God bless you and all you do for them. You have a heart of gold sweet lady!

‪Ian Husband /react-text ‪ I met this lady while I was up there helping out. What a wonderful person and what a great thing she did for all the front line people.

‪Mike Gavin /react-text ‪ I had a chance to meet Betty while I was up there she's defiantly a kind soul.

Jesse Bowdige

Hi Renee,

Thank you so much for what you did in Fort Mac. I saw your interview on global news and had to reach out to you. I was part of the first group of Edmonton fire fighters to head up north. You made me a sandwich and some watermelon - which was the first "meal" I had eaten in 2 days.

Here is a picture of me (the one you're leaning on) and my crew. We called you out "Fort Mac mom" for taking such good care of us.

Your friend,

Jesse

Hi Renee, I just want to thank you again for everything you did for us while we were in Fort McMurray,  you kept us going.  I hope you realize what a difference you made.  You are our Hero!!

Cam Priesltey- Cold Lake Fire-Rescue

Dee Leigh

Mrs Charbonneau,

I just wanted to say, thank you, for your efforts in assisting the Emergency Responders in Fort Mac. As a police officer, I wanted you to know that your efforts don't only impact those fighting fires in Fort Mac. It's a beautiful reminder of how good people can be. There truly is 'honour in service' knowing that people like you are out there. Thank you for looking out for our brothers and sisters in Fort Mac. Seeing the goodness in others makes donning a bullet proof vest and a gun everyday worth the risks.

Cheers and much respect to you Mam, and your biking community, for your assistance with emergency responders working in Fort Mac and the surrounding areas.

Kindest regards,

Sr. Cst. D. Lamont #0164

Windsor Police Service

Windsor, Ont

Canada

Claudia Parks Locke Thank you Betty,

You fed & supplied my crew up there & we thought you had just the most infectious personality! You should be very proud of the huge impact you made on so many in such trying times.

Thank you sista!

Sarah Lynn

I was one of the firefighters in Fort Mac. I gave you a hug before leaving but wanted to say thank you again for everything! You are an amazing person for all you do and for smiling throughout the 5 days I was there.

Jade Robinson

Thank you for the friend add Betty!! And thank you so VERY MUCH for everything you did for us up in Fort McMurray.

YOU were a welcome sight!

Bronwyn Taylor

Hi Renee,

You were my little angel mama when our crew from Parkland County was there. Not sure if you will remember me and Craig, he needed chew and I needed gum

wink emoticon

We worked a lot of hours with very very little sleep and not much food.  You were our first cup of coffee in days.  I wanted to send you a shirt off my back if you will allow, just need an address to send or drop it off to.  In the fire service we like to share Tshirts with each other as a sign of brotherhood/family, I would like to give you one of mine to welcome you to our family.  Please let me know.  Thank you again, you were a wonderful warm sight for many tired eyes and bodies.

‪Jasmine Hale /react-text ‪ Very happy to have met you girl!

‪glad I was able to assist you for awhile when you needed a break before going back to my fueling emergency vehicles. Bless your heart! Hugs!

The photos below were sent to me by Troy and the crew from RapidFire with the following caption:

With Love from RapidFire, We Salute You

Because of a very public thank you made by the St. Albert Fire Department, Hall #3,  on the Current with Anna Maria Tremonti: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-may-23-2016-1.3596302/fort-mcmurray-fire-firefighters-share-stories-from-the-frontlines-1.3596322 

I was interviewed by CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-may-13-2016-1.3580576/belt-drive-betty-feeds-2-000-first-responders-with-fort-mcmurray-sandwiches-1.3580590

And later by Global, again thanks to that very public "Thank You" from the boys at St. Albert Fire Hall #3!

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalEdmonton/videos/10153397407920927/

And now, on top of it all I have been nominated for the Post Search for Goodness Contest:

https://searchforgoodness.com/en/home#browse_nominations

PLEASE consider voting for me as if I win the $10K I will put 50% towards the building of the wheelchair accessible scooter for CF Veteran Eric Magill and the other 50% to the Afghanistan Monument I am spearheading here in Grande Prairie AB. Please consider voting for me, and if I win, I will spread some goodness!

You can find me by looking up my name - Renee 

In closing off this part of "My Time in Fort Mac",  I want to acknowledge the many people and businesses that contributed to helping me help them:

My husband, Mark Charbonneau, your support as always, means the world to me.

My contractor and good friend, Lynda Klouth who drove her truck and holiday trailer filled with people and supplies.

Costco Grande Prairie for their generous donation to our first truckload.
UFA Grande Prairie and Athabasca for the fuel on that first trip.

The citizens and businesses of Grande Prairie that helped fill that first truck...see the photos on the side to see some of those wonderful souls who helped out in those first hours...

I am sorry I don't remember the name of the Orthopaedic Surgeon's office that donated $360 Cash but I do remember the donation.

Jeremy Hall and Will Skinner - Jeremy also arranged for many supplies over and above volunteering as I did.

Jessica Kappel - a volunteer firefighter who lives in Grovedale and who organized all of the fuel and water the firefighters needed, not to mention her ability to have us on the ground and serving these firefighters and first responders.  Without her, getting in there may have proved far more difficult than it did.

Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, thank you for the discounts you gave us on medical and personal supplies!


My buddy, a man I call bro, Kevin O'Conner enlisted the help of so many:
Garry and his Team from Wetaskiwin CO-OP Grocery Store; Guy & Jeff from A-1 Rentals (without you guys these much needed supplies and food wouldn't have gotten to Fort Mac); Tim & John and all the wonderful members of the Pine Haven Colony (The delicious baking from Jeff's Mother-In-Law); Linda Lee, Tiffany & their Team at Shopper's Drug Mart; Colleen at Value Drug Mart; Insaf & Mahmoud at Guardian Drugs; Paul & Nick at Wetaskiwin Shell; Hans Broere from Broere Electric/A.C. Dandy and all the GENEROUS personal and cash donations from Linda Lee, Jigar, Tiffany, Cathy and Deborah Teske as well as from our own Wetaskiwin Court Clerks & Wetaskiwin Court Sheriff's.

Gloria Swan and her amazing help in supplying 50 air masks and filters.

Nicole from Slave Lake for the Subway Sandwiches and cookies and the Yoga mats and other supplies!

Mark LaFountaine and his lovely wife Tammy - their business is hurting hugely from this economy but they dove in and gathered all sorts of supplies.  Dave Perra from Perra Leatherworks who drove all night and the couple from Barrhead who drove a load of supplies in late one evening.

Kristy Falconer and her hubby Rob and the gang from the Red Knights in Victoria BC and those who helped fill the truck with medical supplies for first responders and donations to evacuees.

Bear Lamont who arranged extra air filters and shipped them up via St Albert Firehall #3.

Steve and the guys from clubs unmentioned for providing all sorts of support to first responders as well as evacuees.

God help me I don't want to forget any one, but I am sure I will so please forgive me if I didn't acknowledge you. My mind is working overtime...

There were a host of people who donated cash, some as little as $15 and others as much as $500 and $1,000.

Special mention to Roy Eckmeier, my Uncle Bob Poitras, Darren Burry and the IOMC, Suzie 7 Gator Healy, Laurie Clark, Candace Lawlor, Terry Hoet, Blair Weber, Nick Newall, Tracy Lynn Schuarart, Allison Hindman Linda Magill, Ray Howland, Gary Adolph, Tracy Nessler, Kim Newberry on behalf of the Camrose Cadets, Jana Rosenburg, Kevin Kurtz, Leslie Allen, Suzanne Kutaj, Bob Ross, Run to the Hills Rally, Holly Sorgen, Neil Hein, Dora DiFrancescomarino....

I hope I haven't forgotten anyone in my circle who helped us out.

Every donation was valuable and needed and I don't want anyone's contribution neglected if humanly possible. On the very good probability that I have forgotten someone and their contribution, please accept my deepest apologies and know it was not intentional.

If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Rider

SaveSave

My Time in Fort Mac - Part 5 - Truck Woes

Lynda Klouth is the new publisher for the BKC News Bytes, Grande Prairie & Region.

She is the gal who without hesitation volunteered her truck and travel trailer and herself as the driver to get supplies up to Fort Mac's first Responders.

 Lynda was a day later getting back to Fort Mac than she wanted to be.

She had taken her truck into GP Chrysler because it had been running so badly the last
150 K into Fort Mac and it did not improve on the way back to Grande Prairie either.

GP Chrysler changed the fuel filters, oil and filter and a headlight for her for free for what she was doing to help the fire fighters and other first responders.

At one point on that first trip in, the truck "ran out of fuel" in spite of it having a full slip tank to draw from.

We sat for a while and some gents came over to see if they could help.
After a few minutes the truck started up again but failed a little ways up the road. These same folks followed us for a while, good thing too. It was odd, we thought there must be an air bubble in the system and or a plugged fuel filter.

The truck started up, ran about 5 miles and quit again.

After checking everything that could be checked, we started the truck up and the fuel gauge started registering fuel and while the truck seemed to be revving awfully high about 2,200 RPM when it should have been down around 1,900 - it seemed to run not too bad.

After we got done feeding RCMP officers on the highway and the fire was a bit more under control along the hi-way we headed into Mac Island.  Lynda and I worked through the first 5 or six hours and when Jeremy came up he had picked up a filter for Lynda's truck and attempted to change the one.

Things did not go as planned and so I got about a two hour nap in and then Lynda took one for about 4 hours before she headed for Grande Prairie. She had left about 7 pm on Thursday May 5th.
She arrived back on Saturday May 7th in the early morning, about 6 am.

Saturday was a hectic day. There were so many new crews coming in and crews going home.

Lynda had brought in some much needed supplies for people and we had gone around to each fire rig and made sure every truck had electrolytes (Hydralyte) and every fire fighter who had complained about their feet had the supplies they needed be they insoles, Gold Bond Powder, Moleskin etc.
We delivered tobacco to a few, gum to others and made sure everyone possible was stocked up.

She also told me of her harrowing trip back, with a sick truck and a tunnel of fire she had to drive through.  When she left Mac Island, she stopped at the road block and the RCMP had told her the road was good. But, by the time she was 60 Kms away from the Anzac road block (about 75k out of Fort Mac) there was fire on both sides of the road and the ditch in the middle. She said she had never been so scared in her whole life.  I can't freaking imagine how scary that combination of sick truck and a tunnel of fire must have been - words absolutely escape me.

Poor Lynda, Her truck, her new to her truck that she paid really good money for was sounding very sick.

She and her daughter and son in law basically unloaded, handed out supplies and then they had to head out.  She needed to limp her truck back to Grande Prairie Chrysler where her Bulldog Computer was diagnosed as a fail.

I worried about them on this trip back and was relieved when I got her text message that she had finally made it home a 7.5 hour trip took them over 11 to complete.

The bill was not covered by the extended warranty she had purchased with the truck.

Although GP Chrysler did discount the bill it still cost Lynda $1,500 + tax out of her pocket.
Money this small business owner really didn't have to spare.

Her truck was finally repaired late in the week and so that was the end of Lynda's journeys with us.

I wrote a letter to the dealership and asked them to make a plea to Chrysler Canada but as I write this I have heard nothing back.  If I had the money, I would just give her the money, but I don't so we are going to figure out a small fundraiser for her.

Saturday was also an emotional day for me as Jim from Leduc Fire Department had presented me with a stuffed dalmatian fire dog to thank me for being there for them throughout the last few days.

Glenn Chaulk from Syncrude had come over with his crew and presented me with his personal challenge coin - again to thank me for the work I had done feeding these guys while Lynda was on the road.

The only real relief I had from manning that booth after Lynda left on the 5th was a gal named Jasmine Hale, who took over for me for about a half 3/4's of an hour...maybe a bit longer she made sandwiches while I made coffee and straightened up the line and got some supper myself. Other than that the breaks I took where when either Matt, Jody or Jeremy could cover me for bathroom breaks and naps.

Saturday afternoon, Kevin O'Conner and some Peace Officer & Sheriff friends along with employees of A1 Rentals pulled in with the produce and supplies they had brought in.

Later on in the evening two ladies, Brittany Cardle (R) and Becca Hess (L) arrived to give me a hand.  I was grateful to have some hands and did my best to show them what needed to be done.  I got some much needed sleep on my cot, snuggled up with my firehouse puppy.

After a hot shower in the morning, I checked on the gals, Becca was manning the booth and Brittany was sleeping in her Jeep.

With everything under control, I decided to let Will sleep in. I headed towards the gymnasium and with Dennis's help got Mother's Day breakfast started.

We had all these glorious farm fresh eggs, sausage, potatoes and onions, pancake mix and syrup and I was determined we were going to have a great breakfast.

Dennis sliced potatoes and onions, I was on sausage detail getting as many pre-cooked and on the warmers as possible, and attempting to prevent hash browns from burning when Matt from the Edmonton Fire Department came up and offered a hand.
Now many years ago when I was a young girl, I dated a captain from Fire Hall # 3 in Edmonton, and I came to know that Fire Fighters tend to be pretty damned fine cooks.


I wasn't going to turn down his offer of help as people were already starting to line up and Jody was busy getting coffee ready and putting other breakfast items out on the table in front of the BBQ...

Matt made up the first bowl of pancake batter, I started cracking eggs for scrambled eggs and we took turns manning the sausage and hash browns .  Another Edmonton Fire Fighter, whose name I can not for the life of me remember, came over and offered a hand after teasing Matt.

With the three of us just rocking it on the BBQ's were were keeping up pretty good with the line up of hungry people looking for breakfast!
Jeremy Hall came over and pretty soon, I was pushed out of the breakfast "pit"as we called it, by Matt, Jeremy and the other fire fighter, they said it was because I was a mother too and I should go enjoy breakfast.

How thoughtful - all of the lady fire fighters and police officers were truly appreciative of this very sweet gesture.

At about 15 to 10am we got hit with RAIN! It only lasted about 45 minutes but My word were we all happy to get some...but the scrambling began to move the quick line inside.

It was shortly after this that my time on Mac Island became more than a tad unsettling.

Someone had taken my stuffed dalmatian - the one Jim had given me.

I had left him safely tucked in under my blankets on my cot and a trucker driver had helped me move my cot indoors and when I left my cot, "Lucky" was still there, tucked underneath the covers.  When I went to get him to show him to Jody later, he was gone and no one knew anything.  I was crushed and literally in tears - the gift had meant so much.

MUCH More later...

If you are blessed enough to be riding today, know that we here in Grande Prairie are finally getting a much needed gentle soaking rain that has lasted so far about 12 hours.  I am not riding today and I am OK with that.

I pray this rain reaches Fort Mac sooner than later.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

This post has been updated to correct the name of the gal who gave me a break - her name was Jasmine Hale not Jennifer....Sorry girl!