Help the Dunley-Owen Family Recover

On October 31st 2019, Stuart and Sandy Dunley-Owen and their three children returned home at the end of the day to find their home completely flooded with dirty, muddy creek water. Their floors, walls, much of the furniture, clothing, and some irreplaceable items such as kids’ artwork and family photos had been destroyed.  

Neighbours had neglected to clear debris from their driveway culvert to enable the same creek that also runs through the family's yard, to pass freely through. When the city finally and hastily cleared the blocked culvert, a wall of pent-up dirty creek water flushed downstream, jumped its banks and flooded the Dunley-Owen’s home rendering it completely unlivable. Stuart, Sandy, Emily, Ethan and Olivia were suddenly homeless, with winter looming and not much more than a few clothes in garbage bags.

Things would get worse for them however, once they learned that their insurance would not cover this overland flood and the other parties would not take responsibility for their actions. The ruined drywall was also discovered to have asbestos in it, which would significantly increase the already steep cost of repair.

The family of five struggled to find an affordable place to stay while they continued to pay the mortgage on their damaged home.  Keeping the family together and stable for the kids was the most important thing to Stu and Sandy. After many weeks of staying with friends, they were lent a trailer to park in the driveway, but when winter weather hit hard, it was much too cold for the kids to sit and do homework, and far too cold to sleep in.

Added to the stress of the situation, Sandy’s dad was battling colon cancer and didn’t have much time left. Dealing with the flood disaster, the family wasn’t able to travel and to spend the much-needed time with him, and he passed away on March 10th.  With Sandy’s mom suddenly alone and struggling to cope, they have no place to bring her home to care for her.

This is a close, hardworking family, working and raising their kids and like many of us, without a safety net to fall back on when disaster strikes.

This has been devastating blow for this family, at times they have felt hopeless and helpless. They are in this situation through no fault of their own and are in desperate need of help. It has been almost 6 months already and will be many, many, more months before they will be able to return home. They have struggled to afford to pay for another place to live, let alone cover the extensive repairs needed to the house.  Much of the work will have to be done by Stu at night and on weekends, after putting in a full day at his regular job.

These are people that would go out of their way for anyone else. Every dollar raised will help this family get back on their feet and help them repair the damage to their home.   

Thank you for your generosity in helping this family in need.