Hi, my name is Jon, and I've started this GoFundMe to try and help my Aunt Colleen and Uncle Tom.

On January 25th, while taking a break from clearing snow, my uncle went into the house to check the fire in the woodstove. The fire he found, though, was not the fire he expected. Instead, the chimney had caught and spread to the ceiling and wall. Uncle Tom called 911 and attempted to fight the fire with an extinguisher.

The fire quickly proved too much for the extinguisher and reportedly spread through the house. It was an older farmhouse, and conditions were arid, the perfect combination for disaster.

Uncle Tom was able to take some of the family pets to safety. Some, unfortunately, remain unaccounted for. He was not able to recover any belongings. No clothes, photo albums, heirlooms, or mementos. It was total devastation. To top it all off, they have no insurance coverage for fire.

Aunt Colleen and Uncle Tom have been in the Alnwick Haldimand township for nearly four decades. They are well known and well-liked in the community. Uncle Tom is a local tow truck operator and mechanic. Aunt Colleen operated a flower shop in town and moved on to work for the county. Every time I go into the community, it seems that someone asks me how they are doing. They are generous and kind people, who I have always known to open their home and their hearts to someone in need. There always seemed to be room at their table. Be it a cup of tea and a chat, a hot meal, or just a nice bit of company.

Aunt Colleen and Uncle Tom have helped me in my personal life more times than I can count. But, two moments that stick out were life-changing. The first was when my family and I were moving across the country. They welcomed me into their home for nearly a year, refusing to take a penny from me. The second is allowing my wife and I to operate our farm on their land. But, again, refused my reimbursement. I can't express enough the positive impact they have both had in my life.

Aunt Colleen and Uncle Tom have always been hard workers, compassionate, loving and kind. Their home has always been full of love and laughter. They are animal lovers, so it was so hard to lose their beloved pets.

This is a time in a family's life that is one of the most difficult. So on their behalf, I humbly ask for you to look into your heart's and offer up what help you can. I can't think of two people that would be more appreciative or deserving.

Thank you for your time, thoughts, prayers, kindness and compassion.