An Edmonton building that houses a women's shelter suffered a fire Tuesday night, forcing the evacuation of all of the approximately 70 residents. The fire investigation deemed it was still habitable so it is once again occupied.
Judith Paquin, the spokeswoman for the E4C, the organization that runs the Women's Emergency Accommodations Centre (WEAC), said that the fire was a vivid reminder about the constant need for support.
"There will be ongoing repairs because it's really just the roof and doesn't affect the inside of the building," she said. The full cost of the damage is not yet known, however. "We don't know the exact amount but any financial assistance and support from the community will be greatly appreciated."
The facility provides temporary shelter to homeless and transient women in the Edmonton area who have little or no income. Clients might have mental health or substance abuse problems, are trying to leave prostitution or abusive relationships or they just might be alone with no money and nowhere else to go.
The cause of the fire was determined to be a cigarette extinguished in a plant pot filled with peat moss.
To learn more about the WEAC or E4C, call 780-424-7543 or visit www.e4calberta.org.
Hair Massacure update
It's been more than two months since thousands of people went bald in support of a local charity that benefits the Stollery Children's Hospital and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. If you still have outstanding pledges to submit, please do so.
The organizers for the St. Valentine's Day Hair Massacure have never hit the $1 million mark in all previous seven years of the event. Tammy MacDonald set the sky-high goal with a lot of hope that the public would come through. Right now, they are very close but struggling hard to get the shortfall covered. At last count approximately $7,000 was needed.
To learn more about the event, get involved or to make pledges to existing participants, call 780- 989-7386 or visit www.hairmassacure.com. Cheques or cash can be brought to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at 16007-118 Ave. in Edmonton. Tax receipts are available for donations over $25.
