Volunteer Blacksmiths in Lacombe have proven they have a lot of skill and a lot of heart.

A group of 12 tackled their biggest project yet this summer and work will continue this spring to complete two iron benches, all to give back to the community of Fort McMurray and do their part to support rebuilding efforts in the fire ravaged northern community.

Marie Paron with Lacombe Regional Tourism says the idea is to send a little piece of Lacombe spirit to Fort Mac “the second bench will be assembled next year and then our volunteers will actually themselves bring it up and present it to the community of Fort McMurray”.

Paron says the project was a labour of love that includes a little piece of each volunteer “it took them two days to actually make all of the different parts, and they are all made, hand torched at the Blacksmith Shop using iron and traditional methods by volunteer Blacksmith’s here in Lacombe.  The bench has some special components to it as well, one of the decorative pieces at the top is a miniature anvil and in that anvil every blacksmith who made a part engraved their initials”.

The 1st bench was auctioned off at the Lacombe Culture and Harvest Festival with proceeds donated to the Canadian Red Cross to support relief efforts.