When Nancy Lowell heard that Navdeep Kaur, a fellow employee, was displaced after a fire at Linden Drive on Christmas Day, she knew she wanted to help.
“It was my instinct to help. Navdeep is not from Canada and has little family here. She is someone who always helps us when needed,” said Lowell, director of Granite Landing Retirement Home.
Lowell set up a GoFundMe page for Kaur, a personal support worker at the retirement home.
The fire happened on Linden Drive in Cambridge at about 10:30 p.m.
The occupants of the unit, as well as neighbours in the adjacent units, escaped. One person was taken to hospital with minor burns.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and damage is estimated at about $2 million.
Lowell says that Kaur, a hard-working foreign exchange student, lost all her belongings in the fire.
“During this pandemic my team and staff have worked tirelessly to keep our residents stay safe and healthy working above and beyond. So many of our staff will stop everything to come in and help without question at any hour of the day,” Lowell said.
“Navdeep worked the day before Christmas and on Christmas Day. She helps us whenever we need her despite being a busy student.”
Lowell says Kaur has only her brother in town and can stay with him, however, she has nothing else.
“She lost her laptop for school and all her belongings,” Lowell said.
“We are collecting clothing donations and other items for her, but she will need some money to replace additional items and her laptop. Please donate to this worthy cause and let’s show Navdeep the same compassion and kindness she gives to our seniors at Granite Landing.”
The GoFundMe page has already surpassed the $5,000 goal.
“Thank you so much for all the support for Navdeep. She is overwhelmed by the generosity. Let’s keep going and help her three roommates who also lost everything in the fire.”
Online fundraisers have started for the other residents displaced by the fire including Kyla Spiers, a single mother, her two young children, and her mother.
A day after the fire, family friend Tiffany Duguay, set up a GoFundMe page for Spiers.
“My friend is a single mom who cares for her mother, brave 9-year-old girl and 2-year-old boy,” Duguay said..
“Their house has received severe damage and lost lots of things they can never replace. I am hoping to bring them some relief and hope at this time of year.”
Drop-off donations for the Spiers Family can be delivered to 570 Linden Drive, unit 26.
The GoFundMe page for Kaur can be found here. The GoFundMe page for the Spiers Family can be found here.
