Afghanistan Monument Project - Kick Off Parade & Poker Run

MP Chris Warkentin

On behalf of ANAVETS and 3rd CAV want to thank those who came out to our Afghanistan Monument Project Parade & Poker Run.

While our numbers were small for the poker run, 19 participants, we had a wonderful day and Mother Nature even cooperated.

Because of you and our sponsors and supporters we raised $1,000 and brought attention to the Afghanistan Monument Project in Veterans Park.

Congratulations to Chris Racette who won the $250 cash prize and condolences to Alan Patchett who won the worst hand prize.


MLA Wayne Drysdale

While being spearheaded by myself as a member of C.A.V., beautifying Veterans Park and building this monument has become a very important mission of the Army, Navy, Air Force Veterans Branch #389. Their commitment to our veterans and the memories of those who are fallen is second to none.


Councilor Chris Thiessen

3rd C.A.V. and ANAVETS Branch #389 want to thank our attending dignitaries &
honoured guests:

Chris Warketin, MP Grande Prairie - Mackenzie
Wayne Drysdale - MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti
Councillor Chris Thiessen - representing the Mayor of Grande Prairie, Bill Given
Fire Chief Dan Lemieux and Grande Prairie Fire Department
Dwayne Smith, President of Branch #389 ANAVETS
Moe Morgan, Manger, RCL Branch 54
Inspector Don Mckenna, RCMP
Rob Engler, Superior Fire Control
Hop Sing - Caen Unit, 3rd C.A.V. Regina
Filter - Frezenberg Unit, 3rd CAV Edmonton
Old Goat Trail, Frezenberg Unit, 3rd C.A.V. Edmonton
Slider, Frezenber Unit, 3rd C.A.V. Edmonton
Peter Robertson, Wild West Motorcycle & Tattoo Fest

City of Grande Prairie Fire Department Fire Chief
Dan Lemieux & City Fire Dept. members

Dwayne Smith, President ANAVETS Branch #389

Moe Morgan, Branch Manager RCL #54

Lead bike in this photo - Hop Sing from 3rd C.A.V. Caen Unit, Regina SK, and farthest rider winner

At this time we'd also like to thank Valerie Young for the donation of the gorgeous quilt she made for this project.

It's a Super Queen size and raffle tickets are $2.00 and can be purchased from ANAVETS members or at the ANAVETS club house:
10117 93 St,
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 1Y1
Phone: (780) 532-2623


Valerie Young and the gorgeous quilt she donated for raffle.



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

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider

SaveSave

Wheels for Our Wounded - A small but successful event

When it comes to hosting a motorcycling fundraiser, Mother Nature is one of the major contributing factors that dictates how many will attend your event. The next factor of course is that there are only so many weekends in a year making it so that one has to choose which cause means most to them.

With the double whammy of some pretty bizarre weather that skirted around Nisku, and the fact that there were 8 other events, we were pretty happy to have 30 paying riders and another 100 or so people who came, donated to the cause and then went to other events.

With the help of the gals from the Charity "Brunch for Broads", our 50/50, silent auction and swag sales were taken care of.

The Frezenberg unit of 3 CAV provided the manpower for our card stops.

Rob Truscott, my right hand man, made sure that everyone had what they needed as far as the volunteers were concerned. He also set up a scenic poker run meant to take everyone to the Mallard Duck in Andrew, the Big Lapel Pin in Willingdon, The Pysanka (Giant Easter Egg in Vegreville and the Giant Sausage in Mundane.

Joey Carothers made sure the gals from Brunch for Broads had everything they needed.

Clarence and Ken from Blackjacks Road House in Nisku had the parking lot cleaned, barricaded and tents set up for our vendors in no time flat.

Lunch time was a BBQ on main street in Canada's Most Rider Friendly Community of the 2015 riding season, Two Hills Alberta.

I was excited because Harley-Davidson of Edmonton had given me a gorgeous 2016 Ultra to ride as I had made the executive decision to drive to Edmonton with all the materials for the poker run.

With this battle I have with adrenal fatigue, and the fact that I had just gotten off of a gruelling but rewarding time in Fort Mac, the last thing I wanted was to get sick. I know my immune system is run down from all of the smoke, lack of sleep etc.

Having that brand new bike waiting for me to test ride, well that made up for the drive down in my cage. And what a beautiful bike it turned out to be! I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and it didn't take as long as I would have thought it would to figure out things like the stereo and other controls.

My Ultra is a 210 American model, and the only thing about it that resembles the the 2016 I rode was the basic shape and stance.

Nothing about this bike is familiar and yet everything is.

If you are looking for a new touring machine, you just might want to take the new Project Rushmore Harley's out for a test ride. I have been told the Ultra Low is awesome for the ladies, and the Road Glide and Street Glide that I tested I loved.

One of these days soon, momma needs a new bike, with so many to choose from, I foresee a lot of test riding in my future.

Anyway, back to the Wheels for Our Wounded event.

People headed off in this self guided poker run in groups of varying sizes, myself I rode with Tammy Tiedemann one of the Fort McMurray evacuees who managed to escape by riding her motorcycle.

Tammy and I enjoyed our saddle time together and pulled in to Two Hills around 1:15PM.

That's when we found out that one of the riders had crashed.

We didn't know who, just that it was a lady rider.

The rider was fortunate in that she had the best possible crew of riders around her.

According to James Shandro, who was riding in a car with our photographer, Attila Csapo, every rider was perfectly spaced and were all able to stop in time and safely.  James who has been a trauma nurse took charge of the scene and because of everyone falling into a task like directing/holding traffic, aiding James by getting him the exact coordinates of their location, Fire & EMS were able to arrive in record breaking time. The crash happened just outside of Two Hills.

When Bob Ross from the Run to the Hills Rally arrived with the lady rider's bike, I jumped in the truck with him and he took me to the hospital.  Once there, I was able to talk to Juanita's husband Steve.  The poor man was a mess emotionally. He had been behind his wife when the crash took place and witnessed it all.

It wasn't long before STARS Air Ambulance was on scene at the hospital, but it took almost two hours to stabilize her enough for air transport.

We knew she had a broken collar bone and clavicle, a punctured lung, broken ribs and other damage along with a head trauma.  I have been reluctant to write about our event or her crash until we knew at least somewhat, what Juanita's prognosis might be.

While the road to healing fully looks like it may be a long one, I am happy to report that Juanita did wake from her coma and recognizes family and friends and while her speech is still somewhat impaired, she is speaking. She had surgery to repair her collar bone which went well and so for now, things are looking very hopeful.

The events of the day kind of took some of the wind out of everyone's sails. Carson Cole did his best to lift everyone's spirits with some of his best old songs, we finished off the 50/50 sales, enjoyed an amazing meal and had a few presentations.

Because of the generosity of so many we raised just over $2,900 after expenses.

That brings us to $3,500 towards the wheelchair accessible scooter we want to get built for Eric Magill, a retired Warrant Officer who lives in Trenton.

Rob Truscott, Pres CLR Kevin Jones,CLR member Paul Lewis
presenting $370 from sales of Wheels for our Wounded
merchandise from the CLR fundraisers and a donation of
$500 from the CAnadian Legion of Riders of the Battlefords

I want to make a special thank you the Canadian Legion of Riders, they had taken some of our coins and patches from last year and sold about $380 and then they donated $500.  The Alberta Blue Knights donated $200.

Martin Fuchs won the $500 top prize for best hand and donated $250 back and then one the afternoon 50/50 and donated $100 of that back.
Dan Hopkins won the morning 50/50 and ended up dating the $95 back to the cause.

Our farthest rider was Cheri Lewis from Prince Albert SK and she took home the $50 gas card.

Bob Hamel won our prize for worst hand.

I want to thank Clarence, Krista, Ken and all the staff of Blackjacks.
Carson Cole for keeping people entertained, Bruch for Broads - you ladies are incredible, Attila Capo for doing the photos and our vendors and riders - you made it a rewarding day in spite of the circumstances.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. BDB

Here is the photo gallery of our day:

I hope you have a great day and please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider

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 McMurray - Part 7 - Justin Sickkamore's Story

While helping out in Fort Mac, a number of people came in to volunteer. Most of these people came in after the first 48 hours of me being there so we had limited opportunity to get to know each other.

Jodi Dick and Justin

Now Justin and I only met a few times up there, we were both really busy doing the tasks we had taken on. I knew that he was living up here in GP and I reached out to him and asked him to share his story with all of you.

In his own words, here is Justin Sickkamore's Time in Fort Mac:

This whole surreal relief effort that I was fortunate enough to be a part of all began for me with a phone conversation with my good buddy and mechanic at Bulldog, Sam Stuart. From this conversation began for us an outpouring of support that was monumental to say the least.

Sam and his pal Scott White, a mechanic at Ferus, got us rolling with a 20' enclosed trailer from Ferus and a 25' flat deck. From there Blaine Swanson, Kyle Cadman, Darrell Carek and Kris Klapstein from Bulldog Energy Group offered me full support, gave me unlimited access to fuel cards and offered me as much time off as I needed.

Bull Dog Energy Group

We made contact with the lovely Jodi Dick at Pat's Auto here in Grande Prairie, she agreed for us to stage our trailers at her facility on the main drag up north and also to manage the donations for us and get the trailers loaded up, freeing us up for other things. We also started taking donations at Bulldog's shop, which we shared with Jeff Bateman and Tired Iron Mechanical just outside of town. The outpouring was unimaginable, Grant Production Testing GP showed up with a full pallet of necessities, Cole with 10K Rentals here in GP, same thing, and on and on.. By the end of the day we had 4 trailer loads ready to roll and roll they did. By 8 pm we were pulling out of GP and Edmonton bound to hit the relief center to see if they needed anything or if we could transport for them, unfortunately we had no luck in Edmonton as we arrived late, we carried on, Sam and Scott stopped in Fort Saskatchewan for a sleep. But I couldn't I had to carry on, by daybreak I was rolling into Conklin.

It was chaos, RCMP just arriving, fires raging, confusion, virtually no supplies it was unreal. I was talking a gentleman who didn't even manage to grab shoes in the mayhem of the evacuation. He got the Globes off of my feet. I had managed to think ahead a little and grab my PS3 and some games from my room for stranded kids, and the smiles on the faces of the kids that I gave it to in Conklin were priceless! Also I feel the need to mention all the amazing and hard work done by those working at Conklin Lodge sorry that I don't remember your names. But my time was up in Conklin, so after filling up about 10 RCMP cruisers I had to keep going, someone told me there was a small town named Janvier up the 881 so off I went. When I arrived in Janvier I was informed they were under a boil water order and were running out of drinking water, luckily I had 50+ cases on my trailer, which I dropped off. They were so grateful their hugs and smiles reinforced in my mind why I needed to be here.

Then I finally met "the beast" I got cut off at Anzac on Hwy 881 and wheeled around by RCMP (who gratefully accepted some granola bars etc.. I had to pin it (and I mean pin it, my poor GMC) to the K-Road cut across and got to Wandering River. The wonderful volunteers who were already setting up in Wandering River picked thru my stuff took what they needed and sent me on my way. Hit a few stores restocked my trailer with what money I had left grabbed 28 cartons of smokes for firefighters and off I went.

I arrived at the barricade on Hwy 63 at Hwy 881 and was once again face to face with the monster, I dropped my trailer on the southbound side of the 63 and opened the doors and set up a makeshift display for evacuees to stop and grab what they needed as they fled their beloved homes. I spent the night in my truck on 63 met a few stragglers who grabbed supplies. Two that really stick out were a father and his young boy, stopped and grabbed tooth brushes and simple things and that little boy hugged me so tight, just went to show the chaos and desperation for the simple things that we take for granted daily. The fire in Anzac got bad, bombers dropping water right beside me on the highway,
that's when Ezra Mackenzie showed up from Bulldog with about 1000lbs of burgers, pork chops etc for Firefighters. That was my in, that's how I got security clearance and was put in contact with an amazing man by the name of Jeremy Hall. Jeremy was our (the volunteers') leader in this time of chaos, he is who I turned to with questions up there and who held the behind the scenes together for us volunteers. That man gets huge, huge respect from me always, he's someone who could always call on me in life or death situation and I'd be there no questions. So I'm in and as I drive towards Mac Island it resembles what I would imagine an apocalypse looking like, abandoned vehicles everywhere scattered on the roads, a city bus jammed in the median just surreal. Then I arrived at Mac Island where my new family for the next week immediately surrounded me. With 28 cartons of smokes on board, I started making friends fast lol (the 28 cartons I gave away every last pack in 6 hours flat, just an example of how desperate conditions were at first)

I immediately turned to Facebook, posting my phone # and the fact that I was at Mac Island and that we needed supplies. The public response was tremendous; my phone went off the hook. Then I "called out" Tim Horton’s asking why we didn't have a mobile station for these heroes. Within three hours I received a call from this wonderful little Nova Scotian lady Natalie Stephen who just so happens to run a Timmy's mobile Van out of Edmonton. That determined angel on earth jumped through hoops and made arrangements to get up there and do you know what? That little soldier is still up there today I just talked to her. Kudos to you Natalie! Then I met Belt Drive Betty, I immediately recognized her passion and huge heart, I also met Jody Hudek, an amazing soul who after losing it all stayed and worked round the clock with me feeding volunteers, Will Skinner from GP, the cook who actually had skills! LOL.

Then I got a message from a man in Red Deer, a Mike Veroba, owner of Renegade Oilfield Service, who informed me that with the help of Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson had tirelessly filled 4 that's right four 53' trailers full of supplies. Mike and I collaborated and organized where to send needed supplies. Mike even managed to get $2300 worth of chew for the firefighters who had been looking for some for days.

Then I fired up the BBQ's that the community center had on site and we started getting some warm food out to the heroes on the ground. Will and I ran that grill day and night for days, I told the boys no matter 4:30pm or 4:30am I'm not a cook but I can grill some burgers and there will be hot ones waiting if anyone wants one. I wasn't aloud to help with the fires (I tried lol) it's the least I could do. I was putting out anywhere from 300-500 burgers a night from only 11pm to 4am. But seeing the smiles on those tired, wet and hungry heroes firefighters and RCMP alike made it all worthwhile. A few days later, On Fire Barbeques in Beaverlodge sent up a beaut of a grill capable of doing roughly 100 burgers at a time making my life and that of Will’s sooo much easier, thanks guys. I jumped in the forklift and started offloading trucks, ran around organizing supplies and finding out what people needed and communicating that to the outside world through Facebook.


Then on Sunday, Mother's Day, I had the pleasure of meeting this gem of a woman from GP named Jessy Kappel, a true hero, away from her beautiful daughter on mother's day fighting to save the city for strangers, all with this sometimes forced smile on her face and determination in her eyes, going hard 20+ hours a day. I have mad respect for that woman, what a soldier.

Then came the day we got the word we were getting the boot from Mac Island, I was so disappointed, I'd still be there if they'd let me, but anyway, we loaded up roughly 1500lbs of dog food that was left over at Mac Island and headed out of the city a little over a week after we got in. We hit two "RV cities" south of the city, and dropped off probably about 300lbs of food to hungry dogs and a bunch of meat and odds and ends for the humans too. The rest we delivered to Lac La Biche and even given my 1:45am arrival in Lac La Biche we were graciously welcomed by the Lac La Biche Humane Society who even helped me offload the truck! I think I finally saw a bed for the first time in over a week in Spruce Grove at about 4:30am. Crashed and got back up to meet Ben Sauve and Tania Marowchuk, two evacuees I had been in contact with on Facebook and had coffee and a chat, their positive attitude amongst all the chaos was really uplifting.

Finally back to GP, day 13 I think, I lost track, I met up with my best friend's sister Tiffany Reid, her man Adam Nicholson and their two wonderful kids Madox and Lola. Lovely Miss Lola's bike had been stolen from their front lawn their first night in GP (way to go GP) and I saw Tiffany's post on Facebook looking for a bike for her. I didn't have much left but I really wanted to help them. So I scrounged up my last $150 and off to WalMart we went, and with the help of the wonderful assistant manager Rhonda at WalMart GP who put the balance of the bike I couldn't afford on her personal debit card we got Lola her bike!

Now I'm settled back in GP with Bulldog, life as normal per say, but it doesn't feel right.

Anyways in closing, if I were ever heaven forbid to find myself in the predicament that residents of Fort McMurray are in I would pray that someone out there would do the things I've done for me. As a human being the least I can do is be willing to do what I would hope others would do for me. I'd do it again in a heartbeat and would drive to Fort Mac tomorrow if they'd let me in. Last but not least stay #albertastrong

Justin's Photo Album on Google+


I hope you enjoyed Justin's story and his photo album.

Until next time,

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider