Donations pour in for those who lost homes, belongings in Lethbridge fire
Posted Dec 28, 2023 10:16 am.
A community effort is underway to ensure more than 10 people left with next to nothing after a massive fire in Lethbridge have everything they need.
A Dec. 26 house fire in Iroquois Crescent, in west Lethbridge, spread to two neighbouring homes due to high winds.
Thirteen people were displaced, including a youth home with six teenagers. No injuries were reported.
Vince Caldwell says he smelled smoke on the day of the fire. He went outside and saw one of the occupants of one of the homes and walked over to see how he could help.
“He was really, really upset. I guess the fire had started in his backyard with an explosion, and he just kept saying how he was trying to put it out,” Caldwell told CityNews.
Read More: Flames engulf Lethbridge home, two others catch fire due to winds
Caldwell has a popular Facebook page, “Christmas with the Caldwells,” where he showcases his home decorated for the holiday season. He also runs a toy drive.
“I just said to my wife right away that… we have this beautiful network of people that just helped us reach our goals that we had set, we just have to ask for help from these people again.”
Caldwell and his family are collecting gift cards and have partnered with local bar Honkers Pub and Eatery, where people can donate clothes.
Since they started, he says the community has been liking and sharing the call to help on social media, and the donations have grown to $1,000 in cards, and the bar looks like a “small clothing store.”
“It’s pretty remarkable to see … how quickly everyone can just come together to support the community,” Caldwell said.
The family is going to be making their first gift card drop-off Thursday, but are still collecting donations as the occupants lost “everything.”
“We just appreciate everyone who can help,” Caldwell said.
“We understand that we did just have Christmas and it’s a hard time for a lot of people. But just keep those people in their thoughts.”
He says those who aren’t living in Lethbridge wishing to donate can do so by emailing them at ChristmaswiththeCaldwells@gmail.com.
-With files from Lisa Grant
