House fire survivor Linda, Can you help please

 
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 15

Thank you for all the generous donations. Linda is beyond greatful. Because of donations of cash and household items Linda has a new home. She is no longer living out of a lower endmotel for $1400 a month. She no longer has transient people roaming in front of her door. Linda now has a one bedroom apartment that is fully furnished, we have a storage container in the backyard of house as we slowly take out salvageable belongings, we have secureda lawyer that will work by a discounted retainer to start as Linda’s case is a little more complicated. Linda has endured unimaginable trauma. She is grieving and cry’s daily.

Linda has worked hard, full time at McDonald’s for 7 years. She doesn’t make a lot. Since the fire she has had to stress about getting by every month. I don’t want her to have to stress anymore, we are going to get her counseling.  Linda has a special needs daughter who is in a temporary home share agreement as Linda just got situated, and she would like a used phone to be able to call her mom. The storage locker will be just under $400/month to store Linda’s belongings. Continued donations are needed to attain this. THANK YOU AGAIN ❤️

On March 28th, 2020 Linda and her family had a tragic house fire. They had no insurance. A guardian angel rescued Linda and her adult special needs daughter. Firefighters pulled Linda’s husband out. Linda’s husband passed away 3 weeks after the fire from health issues. Linda’s daughter had to be resuscitated 3 times at the scene. She miraculously survived.  This story made castanet news and the local Penticton newspaper.

Linda is in low end motel as this is what she could afford at the time. She pays $350/week/$1400/month. Linda works at McDonalds.

Her husband did not treat her well and told her that when he died he would leave her with nothing. Everything is in her husbands name, the house, vehicles etc so now Linda is stuck trying to figure out how to go about things. Linda has given up and has sunk into a depression. She had help from appropriate places, counsellors etc but she only had so many sessions and this has long run out. She doesn't know where to turn to for answers.

I am a good samaritan that lives up the street from Linda. I drive by her house on the way to work every day. It has been 4 months since the fire and I couldn't help but wonder why her house was still boarded up and why no one was helping her.  So I started posting on Facebook and started getting some answers. She had no house insurance, her husband was supposed to take care of that. Since then I have met Linda and had a chance to speak with her. She is now onboard with accepting help and is very grateful that someone wants to help. I have started with collecting bottles and taking them to the depot. I have raised over $400 in a few short days.  I set up a separate bank account for Linda for go fund me donations. She has asked me to be the executor of the account and dispense monies according to make it less stressful for her. 

I have not been inside the house as the city boarded it up due to squatters. The city also sent Linda a $2800 bill for this. Linda was also recently sent an ambulance bill in the amount of approximately $800 for the ambulance that was dispersed the night of the fire. This bill is for her deceased husband who for some unknown reason had out of province medical. Hence the reason for the high bill.

From what I know there is heavy smoke damage. The fire originated downstairs. I'm not entirely sure what it entails to fix smoke damage but I know it wont be cheap. Linda will need a lot of help. She will likely need new furniture and much more. First off I need to get someone in to assess the damage. We are also in the process of trying to contact a pro bono lawyer to switch things into Linda’s name. The house is currently uninhabitable.  Then I need to hire contractors. Once the damage is repaired I need to replace anything that is beyond repair/saving. Once this is done if money permits I would like to purchase 1 year of house insurance for Linda. The other option is once Linda has been inside to see for herself she maychoose to sell. I am trying to get in touch with bylaw officers to find out the necessary steps to enter the home. Once I know I plan to rent a storage container.

Please find it in your heart to help Linda. If you can not donate please share this fundraiser. I am only one person and I now realize I have taken on a huge task and I will need a mountain of people to make this happen. Thank you, Lori.

*Disclaimer* I have edited some of the above text as some of the original information I obtained was second hand and wrong.

I will not give up on this campaign. I am determined to help this lady.