Parents at École Qayqayt Elementary are turning to the community for help after one of their own suffered a devastating loss last month.
Elena Shon’s husband died on Feb. 11, leaving behind two kids; a son in Grade 5 at Qayqayt and a daughter in Grade 8 at New Westminster Secondary.
Wanting to help Shon and her family in their time of need, Serena Trachta, chair of Qayqayt Elementary’s PAC, created a GoFundMe page. She hopes to raise $10,000 to help the family with funeral costs, housing and food for about six months.
After about three weeks of fundraising, they’ve already raised more than $9,500 (as of March 1).
“It’s just been amazing how many people have come out to help, and this particularly group is really related to the kids,” Trachta said.
Some people have also stepped up to provide temporary housing for the family, who was in the process of looking for a new home at the time. Meanwhile, finding a permanent home for the Shons is also high on the priority list for Trachta. She said the family is looking for a two-bedroom apartment, preferably in downtown New West.
Anyone who may know of a place for the family or who wants to lend a hand, can contact Trachta at [email protected].
To donate to the fundraiser, go to www.gofundme.com/shonfamilyfund.
