Living Canvas Tattoo Break-in Support

Hey guys, my name is Mikaela Boivin.

I am creating this Go fund me page for my Aunt Abby and my Uncle Jeff, who own a small business called Living Canvas Tattoo, located on St. James, Winnipeg.

On Sunday, September 12, Abby and Jeff got a notification from their alarm system notifying them that tattoo shop had been breached. My aunt looked at the cameras located on the premises, and sure enough someone had smashed the front door windows and had broken the window located in my aunts personal room.

They ended up stealing several tattoo machines that she had collected and worked with over the last 2 decades of her career. Additionally, they had stolen her entire tool chest that contained countless supplies such as cartridges, ink, medical supplies and more. They also ended up stealing two machines from another worker at the shop before they heard the alarm and fled the scene. The damages and total items stolen conclude in total sum of approximately $20,000. Abby and Jeff do have insurance, however they will still need to pay an out-of-pocket sum, due to GST. Additionally, they would like to upgrade the glass, considering this is the second time in a month that a break in has occurred, costing them a total of $5100.

I have known Jeff and Abby my entire life and I can tell you that these people give their hearts, souls, blood, sweat, and tears for everything they work for. This shop is no different. As most of you know, the past two years have been very challenging for small businesses with COVID regulations consistently closing down endless shops that are just trying to make ends meet. Jeff and Abby have attempt to remain strong and persevere through these challenges, on top of dealing with many other aspects of their lives.

They have two children and have been kind enough to open their home for me while I study at school, to make finances easier on myself. Everything they do is for their family. It is heartbreaking to know that people would attempt to destroy someone’s hard work and way of life in an attempt to make quick money.

They have had this small business on St. James since 2006. They are no strangers to this community. I ask everyone that be band together to help our neighbour out. Times have been crappy and that will unfortunately never go away, but a small act of kindness can limit this affect. Please help me raise money for my aunt and uncle. They just want to continue their dream of owning a small business, while feeling safe on the streets of Winnipeg.