Helping people of Jasper

There is a human reaction, perfectly normal, to want to do our own thing – a fundraiser – when disaster strikes. With the unfortunate events in northern Alberta, we’ve seen heartwarming stories of basic fundamental love: it doesn’t get any better than that. Jasper: one of the world’s most majestic and special places – is on fire. Flames, as high as 100 feet, on a merciless roar, wiped out much of the town’s west end. If you’ve ever been to Jasper, the town nestled in a mountain range, you – like myself – are drawn to want to help … because it’s just so special. The need to want to do something for the people – hotel staff, restaurant staff, cab drivers, staff of the iconic train station on the north side of the tracks and countless other people who say a welcoming hello.

The query, then, becomes what could be the best fundraising event. Coming up with a new, exciting, fun and innovative event is a welcomed challenge. Perhaps there’s a bigger question: do we do it on our own, or do we join up with an already established event? This is where it gets murky. Very slippery. When we want to do something – something as noble as helping folks who really need it – we cannot help but want to make it our own. Unfortunately, but understandably, egos and pride come into play. And when that happens, things potentially … well, you pick a word. Such is a real shame. People are wanting to help, but dare I suggest infighting clearly erases the goodwill act of wanting to care.

I do not have a degree in fundraising management. Never worked for charity, either. My experience came from writing a column for the Edmonton Journal on charity events and the people who supported them financially or as volunteers for 13 years. It was a wonderful lesson in generosity and compassion. The number of new events every year was, frankly, staggering. And ironic. The concept of United Way was to bring charities under one umbrella – red, if I’m not mistaken — so philanthropy could be one-stop shopping.

One ask.

One donation.

Countless disbursements.

Social media and casual conversations Thursday were about the Jasper devastation and different ways to help. Undoubtedly, as Friday emerges and news out of Jasper continues to surface, so do the ideas to help.

In today’s information age we see and hear all kinds of news on Jasper. A lot of it is good stuff. There is a certain amount of unsubstantiated stories and rumors. Sifting through it can become an endless exercise. A greater one, perhaps, is to discern which are news stories and which are not. Maybe, then, we can apply the simple philosophy of doing more with less to what-is-the-best-way-we-can-help-the-people in Jasper: not reinventing the wheel, but by grasping onto it, giving it a mighty pull – all the while creating a steady rotation which has the potential of becoming a tradition, only to get bigger and better with time.

For my two cents, if you’re thinking of organizing a fundraising event to help Jasper – and God bless you for doing so – do some research. See if anyone else is doing something similar. Can you join an event already being planned – not to take over, of course, but to help. Ask yourself a few questions, however uncomfortable they are, if the greater good, which I think must be the end goal, will be better served if you join forces. The power of many, right? If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Strength in numbers. More significantly though, disasters bring people together … fundraising, included.