A West Kelowna family is finding themselves desperate heading into the colder weather after losing everything to the McDougall Creek fire.
Patrick Lacey and his family have been able to find a place to live, but the house is old and cold with only electric heat.
“Area rugs would be amazing,” Lacey said about items the family needs.
The family was just weeks away from completing their new home in West Kelowna when evacuation orders came down.
After losing nearly everything, the family was hoping for some semblance of normal over the winter using their camping trailer to house them near ski hills. That hope came crashing down when the wood stove inside the trailer was stolen.
Fortunately for the family, they’ve had some help.
“We have sourced a full-size wood stove locally, but are waiting to hear back from Cubic Mini Woodstoves on the possibility of a donation of a new Cub mini stove to replace the stolen one from our truck camper and our second one that burnt in the trailer,” Lacey said. “The wood stove is a crucial part of our snowboarding in the winter. We would love to get the kids up to Big White too if Michael J. [Ballingall] is feeling generous.”
The Lacey’s are currently in need of winter gear for their kids who evacuated with mostly summer clothing.
Winter tires are also going to be a challenge. Lacey said their truck is being looked over by Kelowna Chevrolet and the winter tires for their other vehicle burned in the fire.
The family is hoping to rebuild on the property if it’s feasible. “Our concerns besides obviously lack of funding are our neighbourhood is gone, and if we do rebuild will we be able to get insurance for the build and also for wildfire coverage? I have been working non-stop for the last four years coming back from the last fire only to have the finish line in sight and have everything wiped out in an instant, the prospect of repeating the build and possibly losing it again is more than discouraging.”
Lacey said their love for each other and the prospect of a good snowboard season are keeping the family looking ahead.
The GoFundMe has just surpassed its goal of $30,000, but the family continues to ask for donations to get them back on their feet.
READ MORE: Wildfire takes home, thieves take hope for West Kelowna family
