Hi, my name is Cara Prince and I am creating this on behalf of one of my student’s family, the Gumboc family, who has recently experienced a devastating house fire that has left them without a home and in urgent need of support.

They are a loving family with four young children, including my student, who is part of our special needs program at Calgary Catholic School District and a younger sibling who attends St. Catherine's School in Kindergarten this year.

In the face of danger and chaos, this incredible child showed extraordinary bravery—running across the street barefoot in his pajamas to get help from neighbours and ensuring his younger siblings were safe.

Meanwhile, both parents did everything they could to suppress the fire until the fire department arrived. The father suffered smoke inhalation and minor burns while trying to protect their home, but thankfully, everyone else is safe.

Since the fire, the family has been staying in a hotel, trying to figure out their next steps. Just when they thought things couldn’t get more difficult, they learned that their home contained asbestos. This heartbreaking news means they cannot return to recover any of their belongings.

They are now moving into an unfurnished rental home, starting completely from scratch. While they’ve been able to purchase mattresses, they still need furniture, clothing, and other household essentials.

As a community, we have the power to come together and support them through this incredibly difficult time. Any contribution, big or small, will help them rebuild and bring a sense of stability back into their lives. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser would mean so much.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.