Local Businessman and Philanthropist Jesse Willms To Help Victims Of Slave Lake Forest Fire With $5,000 Donation To Canadian Red Cross

Internet Entrepreneur, Jesse Willms, is donating to the Canadian Red Cross in response to the forest fire that has struck Slave Lake, Alberta. "... when the disaster is this close to home, I see it as a wake-up call for everyone to get involved any way they can." Willms said. End Quote

[The Red Cross] is well known, well respected, and whenever disaster strikes they are always ready to do whatever it takes...

(1888PressRelease) May 19, 2011 - Jesse Willms, Edmonton entrepreneur and philanthropist, announced today that he is supporting the Canadian Red Cross with a $5,000 donation to help them provide shelter, food and support to Slave Lake forest fire victims.

The Canadian Red Cross is part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which coordinate the national disaster response activities of more than 185 national societies through more than 100 million volunteers worldwide.

"The Red Cross is one of my favorite non-profit organizations," Willms said. "They're well known, well respected, and whenever disaster strikes they're always ready to do whatever it takes, no matter where."

The Slave Lake area has been devastated by the raging fire. More than 7,000 people have lost their homes. Natural causes have been ruled out as a possibility.

"I hear they're saying that the fire may have been manmade," Willms said. "It's heartbreaking to know this could have been avoided."

Willms' announcement today was made with the goal of encouraging other people to provide support for the Red Cross' efforts in Slave Lake.

"I've donated before to the Red Cross, most recently following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan," Willms said. "But when the disaster is this close to home, I see it as a wake-up call for everyone to get involved any way they can."

But he noted that assistance doesn't always have to come in the form of monetary donations.

"Our Slave Lake neighbors are going to need our help in lots of ways," Willms said. "As soon as it's safe, I'll be donating my time as well - to help rebuild homes, clear debris, whatever they need. I hope to see a lot of my fellow Albertans at my side."

Jesse Willms started his first business in his parents' basement when he was 16 years old. By the time he was 22 he had turned it into a multimillion-dollar operation. Last year he was inspired by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to start giving back to the community. Since then, he has made various charitable donations and has contributed much of his time to non-profit groups.

http://www.jessewillms.com

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