Six months after the fire, families still reach out for help

At a hotel in downtown Fort McMurray, workers in coveralls walk through the faded carpeted hallways, coming and going from their shifts at some of the many construction sites in the city.

But behind one of the doors, there is other work underway. Colouring books and brightly coloured paper line a table, as the five Goetz children are immersed in a crafting session.

The two adjoining hotel rooms, each with queen beds, became the temporary home for the family of seven on Tuesday.

"We are making do," said Jacob Goetz, the children's father.

It's cramped quarters, but he and his family are used to it.

Their Waterways home burned down in May, as did Goetz's workshop next door where he based his window installation business.

For the past several weeks they have been living in a fifth-wheel trailer at Abraham's Landing, a RV park which had been set up after the fire.

It was only ever meant to be temporary, but Goetz said it gave his family some stability.

"It's like I own this," he said. "This is where we are at and where we want to be."

But with winter setting in, municipal officials closed the lot at the end of October, so his family needed help.

Goetzreceived some money from his insurance company right away,but six months on, he hasn't been able to settle his claim.

"It would never crossed my mind that through this process I would be the guy in need," said Goetz.

Reaching out for help

His family has now been put up in the hotel temporarily by the Red Cross, assistance Goetz originally didn't realize was available to his family.

Officials with the Red Cross say are seeing up to 125 people in Fort McMurray each day and many of them are people who are asking for help for the first time because they thought they would be able to get by on their own.

"We are Albertans. There is a can-do attitude in this province," said Jennifer McManus, the vice-president for Alberta and the Northwest Territories with the Canadian Red Cross.

But she says with delayed insurance claims, bills and the holidays around the corner people are stepping forward.

"We are still seeing families asking us to assist them with the daily expenses of their life, gasoline transportation costs, bus passes and school fees," said McManus.

Record donations

In the weeks and months following the fire, the Red Cross raised $319 million through private donations and matching funds from the federal and provincial government. It was the organization's largest domestic campaign ever, and so far $178 million has been distributed.

In May, during the evacuation, residents received money through email bank transfers and cash cards. When people were allowed to return to the city, transportation costs were paid for, and there was more money upon arrival to help with the re-entry.

While $50 million dollars has been allocated for community groups and another $30 million for small businesses, the majority of money is being dedicated to help families. Approximately 9000 households have already received money to help make monthly mortgage, rent payments or buy household items.

McManus admits it has been challenging. Early on, there were complaints from residents about long waits and phone calls going unanswered. That eased when the Red Cross opened a second Fort McMurray location this fall, and moved to a system where people have to make appointments ahead of time.

"It is a big operation," she said. "The needs are significant. We are only just beginning. This six-month mark identifies when the hard work actually happens."

It's not just the financial toll Red Cross workers are hearing about, but the emotional one as well, according to McManus. It's the kind of traumatic event that can split marriages and families apart, or even lead to violence, she said.

Back at the hotel, Jacob Goetz is well acquainted with the stressors.

With a sixth child on the way in January, he becomes emotional talking about how grateful he is for the help.

"It is hard, but you aren't taking a handout. It's helping. It's a blessing."