Help Ramona, and her sons rebuild their life

Hello,

My name is Dragos Ruiu. Today, I reach out with a heavy heart for a dear friend, Ramona, and her family, who have faced a calamitous start to the year. On January 2, while Ramona and her three sons, aged between 7 to 10, were at the community center, a disastrous fire engulfed their home. This home was not just their sanctuary; it doubled as a vital community asset – the Green Star Daycare – serving families around Bramblewood Elementary School.

In this heart-wrenching event, Ramona lost more than a home; her cherished Labrador Retrievers, Cora and Jet, perished in the blaze. The fire's origin is still under investigation, but thankfully, Ramona and her sons emerged physically unscathed. However, the emotional and financial toll is immense. They now face homelessness, their business infrastructure obliterated, cherished pets lost, and the daunting reality of starting over with nothing – no clothing, no personal belongings, no daycare supplies.

Ramona's role in our community extends beyond her daycare services. A linchpin in the Coquitlam area, she has been instrumental in organizing numerous activities, particularly through the RunHikeBikeTriCities BC Facebook group and other group communities she participates in, and adds to. Her efforts have provided essential daycare solutions and fostered a sense of unity through various health and recreational events, like the beloved after-work community family and kids paddleboarding outings at White Pine Lake she organized in summers.

The immediacy of this crisis cannot be overstated. Insurance will scarcely cover the immensity of the loss, particularly the urgent needs in the coming weeks. This is a call to action for all those whose lives have been touched by Ramona's kindness, and for all concerned about the welfare of children in the lower mainland and TriCities. She has been a beacon of support for many; it's our turn to uplift her in her hour of dire need and financial crisis. Donations to this campaign go directly to her, and will be used to help her family survive in the short term, and rebuild her daycare.

We are coordinating efforts to provide immediate essentials for her family. However, the challenge they face is monumental. Your support can make a tangible difference in helping Ramona and her sons navigate this catastrophe, reconstruct their lives, home, and daycare – a daycare that has been a cornerstone in our community.

Let's rally together for Ramona, a single mother who has dedicated her life to nurturing our children and strengthening our community. Every contribution, no matter the size, can help alleviate the overwhelming hardships they face immediately.

Please join us in this crucial endeavor to aid a family that has always been there for us. Let's show Ramona that the community she has nurtured stands united with her in her time of need. Let's show the world how in Canada, and in Coquitlam, we pull together to take care of those in need, and we support our community, and our children - who deserve a better, kinder, future even when faced with adversity.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Sincerely,

Dragos Ruiu

(Update: Thank you all kindly for your donations so far - our heartfelt gratitude is extended to this wonderful community. Ramona has informed me that first $9850 of this fundraiser will be going to repay daycare fees and deposits to Green Star parents/customers who are now also scrambling to cover their own daycare crisis - whose payments were already spent on rent and fees. Ramona has confirmed her liability insurance will not be covering lost income. I've raised our targets in light of this new information.)