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Penticton  

Outpouring of generosity

An outpouring of support from the community is helping a family get by after a fire destroyed their home in the Twin Lakes area.

Sara LaRose said money has been raised through a GoFundMe campaign and that several local businesses have pitched in.

"It's a terrible situation but the amount of support we've had from everywhere has been just amazing, with family, friends, neighbours, work, local businesses and complete strangers helping out," she said.

The family, including LaRose's husband, three children and a dog, lost pretty much everything in the fire that swept through their home last Friday. Nor did they have contents' insurance.

Since then, they have returned to work and school and found a place to live thanks to the generosity of others.

For starters, they reached their goal to raise $5,000 on GoFundMe within 48 hours. The account is ongoing, so people can continue to contribute.

Among the businesses that have pitched in are Andre's Electonic Experts, Penticton Auto, Freeride Boardshop, Penticton Electric, as well as several others.

Barefoot Beach Resort has also provided free accommodation in a two-bedroom yurt since the fire, and set up a donation drop off in their front office.

The family can stay at the resort until Oct. 15 if they need to.

People have organized events to support the family, with a fundraising barbecue set up by friends taking place in West Kelowna on Sunday.

"There are not enough words or thank you's to let everyone know how grateful we are," said LaRose. "For now we are just hanging in there trying to get back to our regular routine as much as possible."

To access the GoFundMe campaign, LaRose Family Fire-Starting Over, go here.



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