Fort McMurray Evacuees Find Safety in Woodstock

Friday, 27 May 2016 07:14

A couple and their cats are happy to be safely in Woodstock after being forced from their home in Fort McMurray.

WOODSTOCK - A couple from Fort McMurray is living in Woodstock thanks to the generosity of the Park Place Retirement Centre.

Wendy Ziegler was actually in Woodstock for a wedding when she heard the news about what was going on in Fort Mac where she lives with her fiance Eldon Greencorn. Greencorn was still in Fort McMurray working and had to grab a few clothes and their cats when he heard he had to leave town immediately.

"I had looked outside and all you could see was the dark clouds and an orange glow in the centre. I just grabbed a few things and I would watch it, it was nothing but cars trying to get out and it was like sitting in a parking lot and waiting for the traffic to calm down."

Ziegler was devastated watching the destruction on TV while keeping in close contact with her fiance. Greencorn says he had to head south and didn't have a lot of gas.

"I kept in contact with Wendy because I didn't have a TV to find out what is going on, I had the radio and I kept in contact with Wendy and she directed me to Lac La Biche and on my way there I came across that accident where those two people were killed."

They didn't have a place to stay and Ziegler posted an ad on Kijiji. Park Place responded and offered them a place to stay for free until they can return to their home in Fort McMurray.

"Stephanie Peer sent me an email to tell me to contact her and at first I couldn't believe it. I thought Park Place, since when did they let in kitty cats? And I thought it was only for seniors however they were willing to take us in and from that point on they have been gracious enough to put us up for awhile at no costs with both of our kitties and give us all the services and supports available."

The couple can't thank Park Place enough for their generosity, they also wanted to thank the Wellington Animal Hospital who helped them with their cats. They also wanted to thank the Red Cross, their family and friends and everyone who has supported them in this trying time.

The couple could still use some help though, as neither is working right now and they don't know what they will be returning to in Fort McMurray. Park Place is going to have a fundraiser for Fort McMurray on June 17th and we will be providing more information on that when it becomes available.