“I Maria Papaioannoy can confirm that donations will not be used for any purpose in violation of GoFundMe’s Terms of Service and I do not intend to mislead donors with the information shared on my fundraiser.”

My name is Maria, and I am starting this GoFundMe to help a friend. All funds will be distributed directly to Wendy to help rebuild her business, by making repairs to what was broken during the robbery.

In the early hours of November 1st, at approximately 3:30 AM, three masked individuals broke into and destroyed Wendy and her family’s small business in Trenton. In less than three minutes, years of hard work, inventory, and security were shattered.

This isn’t just any store, Wendy has quietly been a backbone of Canada’s tobacco harm-reduction community for years. While many may not know it, she has supported advocacy efforts across the country, both financially and by dedicating her time to fighting for safer nicotine access and consumer rights. She has never asked for anything in return.

Today, she needs us.

Wendy and her family have operated vape shops since 2014. They’ve always greeted customers with warmth, advice, and support, often going above and beyond to help people transition away from cigarettes. She and her family have helped thousand and thousand of people become smoke free.

Like many small vape retailers, they’ve already been navigating a difficult economy and the crushing weight of federal excise taxes. Yet through it all, they’ve continued to serve their community with heart, integrity, and unwavering resilience.

And their strength didn’t begin there. Less than three years ago, Wendy suffered an unimaginable loss when her husband and the backbone of their family, Scott, passed away from brain cancer. Despite her grief, she showed up every day for her customers, for her community, and for harm-reduction advocacy across Canada. She kept this business running. She never asked for sympathy, and she never asked for support she simply kept moving forward.

But today, after yet another devastating blow, I am asking for help on her behalf. Wendy has always been there for others. Now, it’s our turn to be there for her.

This break in is a devastating financial blow.

Insurance will only cover a portion of their inventory loss. The rest they must shoulder themselves.

They employee 7 people locally and want to continue.

Despite what happened, they still opened their doors today. Because that’s who they are, hardworking, community driven, and determined to keep going.

Unfortunately, crimes like this are becoming far too common in our industry due to lack of enforcement and aggressive over-taxation. And every time it happens, it hurts families, real people, who are simply trying to survive.

How You Can Help

If you can, please consider supporting this small business family as they rebuild.

Every contribution helps them repair damage to their shop and go towards the costs of replacing all the broken windows and display cases so they can keep serving their community.

Let’s show Wendy and her family the same support they’ve quietly offered others for years.

Let’s stand with a small business that has stood for THR, community, and compassion.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting.

Small businesses truly survive because of good people like you.