Fundraiser takes off for teacher who lost home
An online fundraising appeal has been launched to help a West Kelowna teacher who lost her home to the Mount Law fire.
Shannondee Rigby’s house was the only one destroyed by the fire, which has burned 800 ha. and forced the temporary evacuation of about 1,000 Glenrosa residents.
“She’s just such a kind and generous lady, it’s terrible what’s happened,” 16-year-old Callie Patton, a former student of Rigby’s who started the GoFundMe appeal on her behalf, said in an interview Friday.
Rigby is described as “an upstanding friend, mother, grandmother, and long-time teacher and Indigenous Advocate of School District 23” in the GoFundMe appeal, which as of Friday had already reached $8,400 of its $15,000 goal after being online for less than a day.
“The appeal is working out quite well,” Patton said. “I didn’t expect it to take off so fast. We might go $5,000 beyond the $15,000 goal.”
Rigby is employed by Central Okanagan Public Schools and has taught at Glenrosa and George Pringle elementary schools. “This is the second home she has lost due to fire, and the thought of rebuilding for a second time must be beyond overwhelming,” the appeal states.
“This time, she will be rebuilding on her own, as she lost her longtime spouse last September. Further, her elderly mother who lives with her is currently experiencing serious health issues,” the appeal says.
To donate, see GoFundMe.com and search for “GPE and GRE teacher Mrs. Rigby needs your help!”