A Message from the Mayor

Ponoka, AB

Thank You Ponoka!

The past week has been devastating for the six families in our community who lost their homes to fire. Out of that devastation has come an overwhelming and immediate outpouring of strength and caring from our community. 

While I’m not surprised by the response from our citizens – because that’s what we do in Ponoka; we look after each other – I couldn’t be prouder of this community. 

From all of the individuals, local businesses and community organizations who donated and continue to offer donations to support the displaced families, to the first responders who courageously fought the fire on Tuesday and prevented it from spreading to neighbouring properties, we owe a debt of gratitude. 

I know those volunteer firefighters were just coming back to town exhausted from two grass fires that they had worked all afternoon to extinguish. Despite how tired they must have been, they immediately stepped up to respond to this third fire – because that’s what they do and we’re so lucky to have them in our community.

Thankfully, there were no fatalities or serious injuries to any of the people who lived in that building. Sadly, I was told some pets were lost in the fire which is heartbreaking for those families. I’ve spoken with many of the victims who lost their homes on Tuesday, and thanks to the help from so many of you, they are starting to gradually piece their lives back together. 

I met one of the victims at the Mission Thrift Store a couple of days after the fire. Like many who lost their homes in the fire, he was a former student of mine. While we were talking, a local citizen asked if she could pay for the items he had in his cart. While the thrift store staff explained the store was donating it all to him for free, I thought, ‘Isn’t it wonderful how that’s the kind of selfless spirit that thrives in our community!’

I think you would be hard-pressed to find a community with a bigger heart than ours. Whenever there’s a need, the people in this town always come together and make sure that need is filled. 

And for that, I thank you Ponoka. You make me so incredibly proud to call this place my home!

With gratitude,

Mayor Kevin Ferguson

P.S. If you would like to donate to the families who lost their homes, I was talking with Victim Services and the Red Cross. They both recommend donating cash or gift cards which can be used over the coming weeks once these families find new places to live and are struggling to furnish their new homes with supplies. Thank you again for your generosity, Ponoka! 

Donations of cash or gift cards for the fire victims can be dropped off at Ponoka Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) at 5006 52 Avenue. They request that no other items are brought to FCSS as they have no space to store them.