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Rhiannon12866

(202,970 posts)
Mon May 30, 2016, 01:10 AM May 2016

‘I just felt like I needed to’: North Carolina man drives to Edmonton to help fire evacuees

When Jim McGrath heard about the Fort McMurray wildfire, he knew he wanted to do help but what he ended up doing is quite unique.

McGrath hails from near Raleigh, North Carolina. He jumped into his car and drove across the United States and north to Edmonton to volunteer.

“I just felt like I needed to,” he said when asked why he travelled about 4,000 kilometres.

McGrath has no connection to the Fort McMurray fire. He has no friends or family in Edmonton or the rest of the province and has only been to Canada a handful of times.


More (Includes video): http://globalnews.ca/news/2728672/i-just-felt-like-i-needed-to-north-carolina-man-drives-to-edmonton-to-help-fire-evacuees/



He arrived in Edmonton last Wednesday and immediately went to work his first volunteer shift.
Julia Wong/Global News

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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‘I just felt like I needed to’: North Carolina man drives to Edmonton to help fire evacuees (Original Post) Rhiannon12866 May 2016 OP
Just saw this on TV laundry_queen May 2016 #1
I totally agree, loved this article and what this guy is doing, too. Rhiannon12866 May 2016 #2
K&R! Sherman A1 May 2016 #3
Thanks! Rhiannon12866 May 2016 #4
It most certainly is nice to see Sherman A1 May 2016 #5
I know what you mean and the weather isn't even good news around here Rhiannon12866 May 2016 #6
Good for him!!! Cooley Hurd May 2016 #7
I was so impressed by this story Rhiannon12866 May 2016 #8
Think how much better the world would be if everyone had that attitude. mmonk May 2016 #9
Maybe by publicizing this story, this kind of attitude will catch on Rhiannon12866 May 2016 #10
wow that was nice treestar May 2016 #11
I agree! Rhiannon12866 May 2016 #12

laundry_queen

(8,646 posts)
1. Just saw this on TV
Mon May 30, 2016, 01:53 AM
May 2016

On local news here in Edmonton. Pretty amazing what he's doing. I know they were really hurting for volunteers too, so I'm sure his help is appreciated.

Love this quote: “We’re all in it together. It’s called the human race. It helps just to help each other. Just get involved, do good deeds and the rest will take care of itself." That's a great POV to have.

Rhiannon12866

(202,970 posts)
2. I totally agree, loved this article and what this guy is doing, too.
Mon May 30, 2016, 02:00 AM
May 2016

I've been following news of this horrific fire and what this man had to say and what he's doing actually choked me up - and I just had to post it. Thanks!

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
5. It most certainly is nice to see
Mon May 30, 2016, 05:17 AM
May 2016

some positive news. I have all but turned off the TV news for anything beyond the weather and even that has become pretty much and "alarmist" rendition of what it needs to be.

Rhiannon12866

(202,970 posts)
6. I know what you mean and the weather isn't even good news around here
Mon May 30, 2016, 05:23 AM
May 2016

Lightning and thunderstorms all day today, some places nearby even lost power. I make a stab at the news when I first turn on the TV, but all it takes is a glimpse of Trump and I immediately change the channel!

Rhiannon12866

(202,970 posts)
8. I was so impressed by this story
Mon May 30, 2016, 07:04 AM
May 2016

We need more people who feel as this man does, here's hoping that promoting this story in the media will inspire others.

Rhiannon12866

(202,970 posts)
10. Maybe by publicizing this story, this kind of attitude will catch on
Mon May 30, 2016, 05:12 PM
May 2016

We sure could use more good news these days.

treestar

(82,383 posts)
11. wow that was nice
Mon May 30, 2016, 05:38 PM
May 2016

and he is only 57, so it's not likely he is retired, which I was thinking necessary to be able to have time to do such a thing.

Rhiannon12866

(202,970 posts)
12. I agree!
Tue May 31, 2016, 03:46 AM
May 2016

A lot of people sympathize with those in the path of disasters, but this man just picked up and acted on it, thought this was such a positive story that I had to share it...

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