Abbotsford family rises from the ashes

ABBOTSFORD—An Abbotsford family is thanking the community for overwhelming support after they lost everything but the clothes on their backs during a house fire last year.

Kate Taschereau and her children were out sledding after Mass when their belongings, Christmas gifts, and beloved pets were lost during the blaze Dec. 11, 2016.

“We could not have risen from the ashes without everybody’s help,” said Taschereau.

The single mom was amazed to see community members step in with incredible generosity. People and groups she hadn’t connected with in years – including teachers, friends from high school, a college she attended in California, and the martial arts academy her children used to attend – all found ways to pitch in.

People brought donations of sleeping bags, furniture, and Christmas gifts, and donated over $34,000 through crowd funding site Wonder We.

“My kids got more stuff than they really needed” and donated extra toys to children’s charities and other items to Poor Clare nuns. “They are all old enough to appreciate the ripple effect of this. We were touching people on Christmas in a very real way.”

The Taschereaus lived with family and friends until they could find their own place Jan. 1. Now, the family is looking forward to celebrating Christmas in their new home.

Last year, “the kids were lacking for the comfort of their own space, but they got to see a bigger picture than just opening their own Christmas stockings,” she said.

She and her eldest daughter mailed 250 thank you cards to people who chipped in during their time of need. Westminster Abbey also offered a Mass Dec. 11, the anniversary of the blaze, in thanksgiving for all those who helped.

“People have been so excessively generous,” said Taschereau. “You hear so many bad things on the news all the time, but my experience is offset.”