Sunalta community gathers to help fire victims on Neighbour Day
The Sunalta community celebrated the very essence of Neighbour Day on Saturday, coming together to raise funds for those displaced by a devastating fire earlier this month.
On June 5, a construction site in the community went up in flames, causing massive damage to the apartments on either side.
Those forced to flee the blaze were left with only the clothes on their backs and were given temporary shelter at a hotel.
The Sunalta Community Association decided to raise funds during Neighbour Day to help the displaced, with a goal of $40,000.
“What we’re trying to do is support these residents for their first month’s rent and their damage deposit,” said Tom Naested, president of the Sunalta Community Association.
“A lot of these individuals didn’t have renter’s insurance, a lot of them were refugees and immigrants, so we want to do what we can to support them.”
Of the 40 people forced from their homes, Naested said they’ve heard from about 16 families requiring assistance.
Jodie Wiebe had been living in one of the affected apartments for more than 20 years. She’s now living with her mother until she can find other housing.
“When you see fire, you think about the person whose house burned down, you don’t think about the other people around it,” Wiebe said. “People still have their stuff sitting there and you can’t access it, you can’t do anything. It feels like your hands are tied.”
Wiebe said she’s never been to a Neighbour Day event before, but she doesn’t expect to miss another after this.
“This is just amazing that people would come out and support this.”
For Daniel Asfeday, the day of the fire was bittersweet. It marked his second year in Calgary after emigrating from Eritrea, yet on that day he also lost everything he needed for school.
The full-time student at the University of Calgary is currently working part time and was hoping he could go to school with no loans. Now, his plans have drastically changed.
“I have nothing right now, including laptops, including my books,” Asfeday said. “I’m going to have to buy everything I need, starting from clothes and my computer.”
The funds raised through the Neighbour Day event will hopefully help Asfeday with that burden. Looking at the turnout on Saturday, he said he feels warm and that he’s not alone.
“The good thing is that we are alive. I really appreciate the contributions of everyone. That is the beauty of Canada, you don’t know them but they care about you.”
The community association has set up a GoFundMe page for monetary donations. Those who have physical donations can contact executive director Jenn Balderston.