As the town of Fort McMurray marks the anniversary of the massive wildfire, some in Airdrie are recalling when they reached out to help.

Melanie Prebble who helped launch the 'Airdrie Supports Fort Mac' Facebook group, looks back on last year and what led her to take that first step.

"I was kind of trying to locate a place that was actually set in town and I wasn't finding one so I decided to set one up...at the AKCS School."

That first drop off point would expand to several others in the city including different houses and eventually, the old UFA building on Edmonton Trail.

The support for Fort Mac evacuees in Airdrie grew tremendously, but Prebble says it wasn't surprising.

"The hearts of Airdrie, I know, are so big. It's still amazing to see each and every time. Airdrie is just one of those places...they really rise, they rise to the occasion."

There were many unique stories that came from the group's time, but Prebble said there was one that really stood out. She recalls a couple travelling from Victoria with their trailer, just to help out.

"The stops that they would make, people would add to their trailer. That was a pretty cool thing, for people to just go on, faith and a prayer and the goodwill of others and make their way across because they desperately want to do all that they could."

The group closed their donations collections in late June of 2016, with over 2,000 members joining to help out.

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