Hi, my name is Lori, I have started this Gofundme for my sister Kimberley and her family, husband Arend, and their children.

This morning in the middle of the night, Kim and Arend and their girls lost their family home near Okotoks, Hillview Farm in a devastating fire. While firefighting crews arrived on site to battle the blaze, the house was a total loss. Kim and Arend and Anika, who were home at the time, were awoken to the sound of the fire and were able to escape. Anika was taken to the hospital due to the effects of smoke inhalation, and later released.

Fortunately, the barn housing all their beloved animals: horses, donkey, goats, pigs, chickens etc, was far enough away from the house, that the structure and the animals were saved.

Kim, Arend and their kids have the strongest work ethic of anyone you will ever meet, and they are left now with nothing but the clothes on their backs they escaped the house with. While there will be insurance coverage, this devastating, traumatic event has left everyone in shock.

A couple of travel trailers are now setup so that the family can sleep onsite to continue to care for the animals and the property, but there are some immediate needs we have to get taken care of, literally things as simple as underwear and toiletries, to bedding etc. We are combing thrift stores etc to get them makeshift premises set up at the farm, and will want to aquire a fridge/freezer ( camper trailer fridges just don't cut it for a family long term during the rebuild), laundry washer/dryer etc. And hopefully some lawn furniture, Picnic table etc so they have a place to gather outside of the trailers.

If any of our dear friends and family near and far could spare $5, $10, or even $20 to help Kim, Arend, Grace, Jane, Anika and their animals out in this time of crisis, our hearts will be forever grateful. Thank you for your love and kindness, one of the biggest things you can do is share this page/link to spread the word to caring hearts far and wide.