Actor Jonathan Torrens continues support for Maritimers in Fort McMurray
Posted May 12, 2016 07:08:00 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – An East Coast actor is making waves on social media after the devastating wildfire in Fort McMurray.
Jonathan Torrens, best known for his role in the hit-seris “The Trailer Park Boys”, started the hashtag, #GetmebackfromFortMac on Twitter after hearing stories about some of the devestation in Alberta.
Torrens tells Global Halifax that people stepped up instantly when he began organizing efforts, donating points and cash in an effort to bring Maritimers home.
“I asked myself, what tools do I have?” Torrens said.
“I’m not a firefighter, I don’t have any direct ties to Fort McMurray, beyond the ties that we all have, which is that it’s a town that’s kept the nation’s economy on its back. But I have access to a fairly good size group of folks on social media.”
He said the outpouring of support from many around the east coast has been overwhelming, as many have been in need since a mandatory evacuation order was issued last week.
“So far we’ve booked over 35 flights with donated points and donated cash, we’ve donated tanks of gas to people who were stranded that started to drive east and ran out,” Torrens said.
Some local celebrities offering their help to Torrens include Dartmouth musician Joel Plaskett, and comedian-actors Ron James and Gerry Dee.
