Edmonton – What started out as a tragic Christmas for a Fort Saskatchewan family turned into a happy one thanks to the support of friends and neighbours.
The Stanley family’s house went up in flames on Christmas Eve. The family got out safely along with their dog and a new litter of puppies, but they lost all the presents for their two sons, aged 10 and 12.
However, before the fire had even been put out, neighbours and friends were coming to the rescue.
“Literally while the house was still burning, we had friends at Wal-Mart and Shoppers’ shopping for us,” says Leasa Stanley, “So it was incredible.”
Through the support of the community and through anonymous donations, the Stanleys were able to have presents under the tree and have a Merry Christmas after all.
“We ended up having a good Christmas, a fabulous Christmas.”
The outpouring of support surprised Stanley who had just moved into the community this summer.
“We just moved here in June,” Stanley told Global News through tears, “we don’t know a lot of our neighbours, we know them to see them and we know a few, but people we didn’t even know were walking up to us and giving us money and giving us gifts and hugging us and offering their house. I don’t know how many people offered us a place to stay.”
“When you first move someplace and you don’t know anybody, it really makes you feel like you picked the right spot to move,” says Leasa’s husband, Darcy Stanley.
Another story of generosity to the family came from the principal at the school the boys go to. The oldest son has Type 1 Diabetes and lost pumps he needed for insulin in the fire. He did have some in his locker at school. The principal stopped by the school on Christmas Eve and got the medical equipment he needed and delivered to the family.
“I can’t thank the community enough,” says Leasa, “words can’t express how grateful we are. For a community like this, who we were new to, to step the way they did is…words can’t express.”
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