ATHABASCA — As the six-month mark of the Grand Union Hotel’s fiery demise approaches and snow settles on the still-standing piles of rubble, the efforts of the volunteers who worked to minimize damage and contain the blaze are still on the minds of many.
Two of those minds belong to Whispering Hills Country Music Association’s (WHCMA) Debbie Doole and president Serena Elliott. The pair were the driving forces behind the Oct. 25 Appreciation Celebration concert, an event with the aim of raising awareness and funds for the Athabasca Fire Department.
Those same two minds came back together to plan a WHCMA Christmas jam held at the Athabasca Seniors Centre Dec. 1, when members gathered to dance, eat, and hand the fruits of the Appreciation Celebration concert efforts to the Friends of the Athabasca Fire and Rescue Society.
Doole presented a cheque for $1,900 to Rachel Hemmons, John Martel and John Burton, representatives of the Friends and the Fire Department; a presentation that was followed by hugs and gratitude.
The Oct. 25 concert was free to attend, but donations were collected at the door, and Grand Union merchandise like t-shirts, keychains, and playing cards were available for purchase.
It was a night intended to celebrate the individuals on the 8 surrounding volunteer fire departments who responded to the July 23 fire: the Town department, Athabasca County, Boyle, Colinton, Rochester, Baptiste Lake, Richmond Park, Grassland, and Lac La Biche’s ladder truck.
“The event was very well supported the by the community, especially in the planning stages,” said Elliott in a Dec. 1 email. Invites were sent to all fire departments, as well as RCMP officers, EMS, and other first responders, and a number of local volunteers did attend.
“It is unfortunate that more could not have joined us that night, as there are so few opportunities for the community to honour them,” wrote Elliott. “We thank those who made the time to come spend the evening with us.”
Those unable to attend the concert can still purchase their own piece of Grand Union memorabilia while supporting the cause; cards and keychains are on sale at Paddymelon Gifts, Espresso and Eatery as of Dec. 6, with a portion of the price donated to the Friends.
While turning the Appreciation Concert into an annual fundraising event isn’t a major priority for WHCMA, Elliott said she would support other community-led initiatives, and not those only focused on the Grand Union Hotel but efforts committed to perserving other important buildings like the Old Brick School, the Imperial Bank building, and the old legion.
“I think that unique, historic buildings hold our community together through the chances that we face,” wrote Elliott. “The loss of the Union Hotel showed Athabasca what it means to be a community.
“Her sons and daughters raced to fight the fire; her neighbouring communities sent men and trucks; her businesses gave whatever they had and her people gathered around her,” she added. “Athabasca is an incredible, strong community and the events of July 23 illustrate that beautifully.”
