About Me
Hi, I am Angie McConnell, creator and operator of www.rebuildslavelake.com
I'm originally from Smith, Alberta right near Slave Lake and now reside in Camrose. After hearing from my mom Friday May 13 that my brother was heading to Slave Lake to help fight the fire that started with other volunteers, I was concerned for their safety, but at the time it wasn't that big. But the winds picked up Sunday, and the fire that was said to move "6 miles in 6 hours" took homes, businesses, and more from the people of Slave Lake and area. It was awful to watch on the news, and hearing cousins and friends lost houses, seeing all the aid being offered but it getting lost in thousands of facebook posts, I decided to streamline the information through my website.
This website is for the survivors of the wildfires - as a resource and will stay active as long as it takes, for Slave Lake and the other communities to rebuild. God Bless and thank you a million times for your generosity.
I'm originally from Smith, Alberta right near Slave Lake and now reside in Camrose. After hearing from my mom Friday May 13 that my brother was heading to Slave Lake to help fight the fire that started with other volunteers, I was concerned for their safety, but at the time it wasn't that big. But the winds picked up Sunday, and the fire that was said to move "6 miles in 6 hours" took homes, businesses, and more from the people of Slave Lake and area. It was awful to watch on the news, and hearing cousins and friends lost houses, seeing all the aid being offered but it getting lost in thousands of facebook posts, I decided to streamline the information through my website.
This website is for the survivors of the wildfires - as a resource and will stay active as long as it takes, for Slave Lake and the other communities to rebuild. God Bless and thank you a million times for your generosity.
Reminder
Even though I do not live there family & friends do - and after getting some emails from residents, nasty treatment they've been recieving, and getting some myself, and seeing FB posts, just want to remind everyone that people are going
through what you are going through, so yelling at a town employee, local insurance person, rcmp who had no control over the basement thing, red cross volunteer who is taking their personal holidays to come help, media member trying to get info out in a timely manner, event organizer, etc etc etc - is not going to help the situation. Tempers and fuses are short, emotions high, take a deep breath and remember fire or flood, together we stand & rebuild, divided we fall!
through what you are going through, so yelling at a town employee, local insurance person, rcmp who had no control over the basement thing, red cross volunteer who is taking their personal holidays to come help, media member trying to get info out in a timely manner, event organizer, etc etc etc - is not going to help the situation. Tempers and fuses are short, emotions high, take a deep breath and remember fire or flood, together we stand & rebuild, divided we fall!
To the Residents of Smith & Hondo
It seems its sad news combined with hope there up north lately, and I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families and residents of that area. In the last month, 3 community members in such a small area have passed away.
To the families of Clayton C., Gail Mantei and Marvin Sand, my thoughts are with you and our communities right now. Clayton was a fellow who cared very deeply for his wife and daughter, and it was apparent at the Christmas concert and school functions I saw him at. Gail would make you smile all the time walking into the Smith Garage, with her wit, cheerful demeanor, and always asked how you were and listened when you answered, not only a gas station worker, but a friendly and caring lady at Pumps on Main. Always smiling at you when you walked in, but quick to jump on any ruckus too, as we sometimes caused as teenagers.
And Marvin Sand. There are almost too many words right now. How can you describe such a man, who donated his time, hands and whatever he could all the time to the Smith and Hondo area? Who volunteered, came when you needed him and more. Marvin was truly a PILLAR of the community, one who is leaving behind massive shoes to fill. A softer spoken man as I remember, his wife used to cut our hair as kids, and in the recent years created a beautiful resort on their property to host those looking for a nice holiday. They opened up their home and resort during the evacuation, helping residents who came to their campground resort. Getting them what they needed, helping in whatever way they could. Marvin Sand was truly a great man, and you will be missed not only by family and friends, but by those whose lives you touched over the years with your generosity.
(Note - Marvin did have a longer description just because I can describe him best because his family is one mine knows quite well and calls friends - not because one loss is more significant than any other.)
To the families of Clayton C., Gail Mantei and Marvin Sand, my thoughts are with you and our communities right now. Clayton was a fellow who cared very deeply for his wife and daughter, and it was apparent at the Christmas concert and school functions I saw him at. Gail would make you smile all the time walking into the Smith Garage, with her wit, cheerful demeanor, and always asked how you were and listened when you answered, not only a gas station worker, but a friendly and caring lady at Pumps on Main. Always smiling at you when you walked in, but quick to jump on any ruckus too, as we sometimes caused as teenagers.
And Marvin Sand. There are almost too many words right now. How can you describe such a man, who donated his time, hands and whatever he could all the time to the Smith and Hondo area? Who volunteered, came when you needed him and more. Marvin was truly a PILLAR of the community, one who is leaving behind massive shoes to fill. A softer spoken man as I remember, his wife used to cut our hair as kids, and in the recent years created a beautiful resort on their property to host those looking for a nice holiday. They opened up their home and resort during the evacuation, helping residents who came to their campground resort. Getting them what they needed, helping in whatever way they could. Marvin Sand was truly a great man, and you will be missed not only by family and friends, but by those whose lives you touched over the years with your generosity.
(Note - Marvin did have a longer description just because I can describe him best because his family is one mine knows quite well and calls friends - not because one loss is more significant than any other.)
