Brazda Family Fire Fund

Update - April 3rd

First of all, thanks to all of you who have donated, shared this fundraiser and sent your messages of support. The absolute, overwhelming kindness that we have been shown has brought us to tears. We feel supported and loved and the funds have brought a huge sense of relief during this terrible and traumatic experience. So have the caring phone calls, resource referrals and even hospital visits. With regards to housing, there are a lot of what if's but we are looking at a few possibilities. We are currently staying in a hotel while we sort this out and also awaiting on reports from the fire department, building and health inspectors. My dad is making a gradual recovery - as many of you know the smoke inhalation and lack of oxygen triggered a heart attack - and he is back at the hotel, taking it very easy.

Unfortunately, my parent's suite is part of the dozen that sustained too much fire, smoke and water damage to be saved BUT the amazing work crews went in with a hazmat and rescued the family photos for us, bless them!!) Right now, it's a bit of a waiting game in so many ways but hopefully the next update will be that they are moving into their new home!! Thank you again for all of your generousity and kindness - we are feeling the love!!

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Original Post

Hello, I am writing on behalf of my beloved parents, Bystrik and Charmaine, of New Westminster, BC. On the evening of March 28th, 2023, they suffered the tragic loss of their home of 25+ years due to a devastating fire at their apartment building (331 Hospital Street.)

The blaze and smoke travelled quickly but they were luckily able to make an escape. Aside from the units on fire, where no one was home, my parents were in a very dangerous position as both suites below and next to them were engulfed and the smoke was thick.

Thankfully everyone in the building has survived this tragic incident but my dad, who already has other health conditions, was admitted to hospital for smoke inhalation and remains there under observation at this time. To complicate matters, my parents are both in their 70s, don't have a vehicle and suffer with varying degrees of vision loss They've always been self-sufficient but this is all a lot to handle at once with very little resources.

Most of all, they are emotionally shaken up by this very whelming situation as they have lived in their home for over 25 years and it contained everything they own. Amongst their prized possessions were my dad's guitar that he plays every day and my mom's many years of paintings and crochet work. Personally, I lost my wedding dress and childhood photos but I am just thankful to still have my parents.

My parents are the most generous, selfless people with a long history of helping and supporting others in their community since the 80s- now they are finding themselves in need of help. I know it would be very uncharacteristic of them to ever ask for help so I am doing it on their behalf.

I am currently in Toronto but my amazing friends in BC have stepped up in this awful situation and I am so thankful for that. Relatives and friends in Europe and across Canada have expressed their sympathies and have also been wondering how they can help with their recovery. Any donation big or small is a help - even $5 means a lot when you don't even own a hairbrush.

Right now, our priorities are:

1. Getting them a cell phone and a used laptop to conduct all the business needed in setting up - new documents, housing search etc. If anyone has one they are not using, even a loaner, please contact me via fb.

2. Collecting funds to secure temporary shelter and basic needs while they/we sort out a permanent housing solution. This will help ease their stress and not further aggravate their pre-existing conditions.

3. Collect funds for basic furniture, clothing and necessities and also for my flight to get out there and physically help set them up as soon as it is possible and helpful for me to do so.

On the bright side, they were on a waiting list for a senior's residence but we are hoping that their sudden change in circumstance can now be considered and the process can be expedited. Being long-time residents and former caretakers, of their building, they benefited from rent control. Finding a new rental in the current BC housing market would prove to be a major challenge so ideally the housing waitlist they are on opens up and they can secure a comfortable short term rental until then. We are a strong family that has been through a lot together and we will get through this too - thanks for your support!

Thank you so much for all of your loving kindness and support during this difficult time.

Tia Brazda