From Ashes to Hope- Let Us Help Them Start Again

On Thursday, April 3rd, during the destructive aftermath of a spring ice storm and prolonged power outage for our region, our neighbours Paul Zheng and Jennifer Chuang, and their children Jamie and Jonathan, lost their family home in Shanty Bay during a devastating fire. Although there was no loss of life, Paul was critically injured with third degree burns to his face and hands and is hospitalized at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, starting a very long recovery from his injuries. Although two of their pets were rescued, a third pet, their beautiful orange tabby, Mango, has not been found.

Paul is a registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner and Acupuncturist. He is a 3rd generation practitioner from China and has been practicing for over 50 years. They have lived in Shanty Bay since 2004 and were one of the original homeowners in the Arbourwood subdivision. They raised Jamie and Jonathan from very young kids in this community. They established and grew their practice in Barrie at the Kozlov Centre until 2012, when they moved it to their home. Paul and Jennifer have cared for countless, grateful patients over the years and were caring for patients when the fire broke out. Jamie had just recently joined their practice and was caring for patients in the clinic that day as well.

Their loss is unimaginable. Their home, their memories, their clothes, their practice, even the most basic necessities — all reduced to ashes.

To make matters even more difficult, they will have no income for the foreseeable future. With no income, no possessions, and no place to call home, they are facing a truly heartbreaking and uncertain road ahead.

We are asking for your kindness and support during this incredibly difficult time. Every donation — no matter how small — will go directly toward helping them find temporary shelter, replace essential items, and begin to rebuild their lives from the ground up.

If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this page with others. Your support means the world.

Let’s show them they’re not alone. Let our community be the light in one of the darkest moments of their lives.

Thank you for being part of their healing and recovery.

With gratitude,

Tina Whitty and Ray Ryan

Shanty Bay, ON

*** Jamie (Wan-Ling) Chu is accepting the funds on behalf of her parents ***