MAC Calendar and WoodBuffaloVolunteers.ca Pursue Merger to Create One Unified Community Engagement Platform
Fort McMurray, AB – July 14, 2025 — Two of the region’s most trusted community engagement tools — the MAC Calendar, currently operated by St. Aidan’s Society, and WoodBuffaloVolunteers.ca, managed by FuseSocial through the NorthStar Ford Wood Buffalo Volunteer Centre — are merging to create a single, streamlined community event platform. This new platform will significantly enhance local access to event listings, ticketing services, volunteer opportunities, and volunteer rewards across the Wood Buffalo region.
Since 2014, the MAC Calendar has served as a central hub for promoting community events and fundraisers and supporting local organizations through accessible event listings and ticketing services for over 102,000 active users. Meanwhile, WoodBuffaloVolunteers.ca serves as a vital tool for regional volunteerism, helping over 11,000 individuals connect with meaningful opportunities aligned with their skills, interests, and values.
By merging these two platforms, St. Aidan’s Society and FuseSocial are working together to amplify their collective impact. The management of the new, integrated platform will be assumed by FuseSocial and will offer a seamless, one-stop digital gateway to promote events, engage volunteers, and foster deeper community involvement.
“This collaboration goes beyond technological integration; it reflects a shared commitment to the core social sector values of collaboration, resource-sharing, and capacity building,” says Luana Bussieres, Executive Director at St. Aidan’s Society. “I can’t think of a better organization than FuseSocial to entrust the MAC Calendar to, ensuring it continues to empower community members to get involved and support social profit organizations in the process.”
“We’re incredibly excited to to build on the strong foundation of community connection by assuming stewardship of the MAC Calendar,” says Shannon Rex, FuseSocial’s Executive Director. “St. Aidan’s Society has done remarkable work over the past 11 years building a valuable community resource that truly serves the region, and we are honoured to be entrusted to continue that legacy. This transition marks more than a handover — it’s an opportunity to amplify community engagement, strengthen collaboration, and make it even easier for people across Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo to get involved and support one another.”
FuseSocial will assume management of the new platform, ensuring long-term sustainability and strategic alignment with regional goals for community and volunteer engagement while fostering a connected and engaged community through accessible, collaborative tools. Benefits of the merger include:
A single point of access for community events, volunteer opportunities, volunteer rewards, and ticketing.
Improved data management and reporting for community organizations.
Expanded support capacity, including some evening and weekend service.
A more sustainable and scalable model for digital community engagement.
As part of this initiative, FuseSocial and St. Aidan’s Society will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) in mid July to select a qualified web development firm. This firm will be responsible for designing and building the integrated platform, with a focus on technical excellence and a community-centred approach.
The integration is being phased in alongside broader website redevelopment efforts, with full implementation expected by mid-2026. St.Aidan’s and FuseSocial have created a feedback form, available here, and encourage the community to submit suggestions on what they would like to see from this unified engagement website.
About FuseSocial
FuseSocial is a trusted leader in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo social profit sector, working to strengthen the capacity of local nonprofit organizations. Each year, it supports more than 100 local nonprofit and charitable organizations through workforce training, leadership development programs, board governance supports, and shared services.
FuseSocial also convenes and mobilizes organizations to improve sector collaboration, and operates the NorthStar Ford Wood Buffalo Volunteer Centre, connecting thousands of residents with meaningful volunteer opportunities across the region.
Media enquiries can be directed to:
Shannon Rex
Executive Director
587.570.8021
shannon.rex@fusesocial.ca
