'I just about fainted': Family overwhelmed with help after Fort McMurray evacuation

After a chaotic evacuation from Fort McMurray last week, Josh and Daniella Munden expected to be returning to Newfoundland and Labrador with nothing.

The home they had kept in the province was empty. It had no beds and no tables, they had been expecting to put it up for rent.

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But when they arrived in St. John's, they found it full to the brim with just about everything a family could need. Pots, pans, toys, tables, chairs — all donations from friends and family.

"We walked in here, and I just about fainted," said Josh Munden. "The amount of emotion that you go through, I'll even cry talking about it."

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in all parts of Canada are digging deep to try to help out Fort McMurray evacuees. From individual donations to government contributions, the help is flowing westward.

'Overwhelming' charity

Munden says he posted social media that he and his family were returning to the island, and the help hasn't stopped pouring in since then.

Bags of donations and food have arrived, and the family is even now passing along some of the charity to others in need.

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"This was an empty shell of a room on Monday," says Josh in his home. "It's pretty overwhelming, I gotta say."

He arrived on Saturday night, not expecting that his home would be in liveable shape. But there's enough now for his wife, himself and their two daughters.

"If this is Plan B, if this is the escape plan, then we'll take it."

Out of the Ashes

One group in the Avalon Peninsula, calling themselves Out of the Ashes, has already collected hundreds donations of shirts, soaps and other necessities.

They've helped about a dozen families evacuating from Fort McMurray, and organizers say they're expecting more than that in the next couple of days.

Newfoundlanders have always been family.- Dana Evans

One of the group's organizers, Dana Evans,  said the effort started out as a desire to help just one family. It quickly grew from there.

"Newfoundlanders have always been family, we've always built strong communities, we've always been very closely tied," says Evans, who just recently moved back from Alberta herself.

Evans says the group is just aiming to provide families some comfort during their transition.

The group is collecting more donations at St. Philip's Anglican Church.

Government pitches in

The help is also coming from official government sources. On Monday, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced it is sending $75,000 to the Canadian Red Cross, as part of an Atlantic Canada-wide effort.

"As we hear the countless stories coming from these individuals, including thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, our government remains committed to providing support during this difficult time," Premier Dwight Ball said in a news release.

"I also thank the many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who are generously donating to this important cause."

The City of St. John's is sending $50,000 to the Canadian Red Cross. 

Coun. Art Puddister brought the proposal to Monday evening's council meeting, where it was approved unanimously. The city is also offering to supply firefighting assistance.  

One Red Cross volunteer, Jillian Mullowney, has also been sent to Alberta from St. John's.

The RCMP will also be sending members from this province up to Fort McMurray, to relieve some of those who have been working on the ground.