Condo Fire, Christmas, and CP

[Aeneas]

I think having your home burn anytime is awful, but just before Christmas is really awful. Your health is number one, but losing all of your possessions is a terrible thing to happen.

https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showth...69765&page=549

https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=177268

I met longsuffering just the one time, but whether he one one of my CP friends or a poster I'd never met; this situation upset me.

So, I badgered him till he agreed to accept my help. He has pride, as most of us do; and asking for help is hard. But this man and his wife lost everything.
He is dealing with insurance, the condo people etc. he has a place to stay paid for by insurance through Monday. Insurance came through with a vehicle (theirs was lost in the fire/destroyed by falling debris) so help is coming. But like many of us, money is tight, and this situation has hurt.

I am not a CP 1%er! Not a man of means at all, but I do like to help people.

I am meeting them today to bring them some immediately needed things.
I am going to replace their Christmas presents lost in the fire.
Will do more privately.

So, once again, I would like to reach out to those people on CP that would also like to help. Maybe you have a gift card or something to slide his way. He is a real person, a real situation not like that Florida thing!

Contact him directly, send him a PM. I have his reluctant blessing to post this.

Thanks if you can see your way to helping out with anything.
Aeneas/Troy

[mikephoen]

Is there an email address to send an etransfer to?

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Is there an email address to send an etransfer to?

Please contact him directly. I will PM you his cell, or by PM.

For the love of God leave me out of it, or I'll be in Vegas by Saturday.

[Scorch]

Thinking Pride might affect his answer, but other than cash, is there anything in particular he and his family may need most?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Scorch

Thinking Pride might affect his answer, but other than cash, is there anything in particular he and his family may need most?

This is a good point, but a list of goods and necessities, especially now, would be very helpful as people are flush with new stuff and some can be donated as well as now-extraneous stuff.

So if stuff is required please dont let pride get in the way, otherwise I'm more than willing to operate as an intermediary for stuff and/or cash as I have in past CP endeavours.

Let me know if any help is needed.

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by Scorch

Thinking Pride might affect his answer, but other than cash, is there anything in particular he and his family may need most?

They are hoping to still salvage some personal belongings. So they don't want to be specific on needs till they are sure.

He will post here soon.

[Aeneas]

Wish I had some better foresight before meeting them today, could have brought some winter clothing with me.
Thinking not always my strong suit.

[topfiverecords]

longsuffering, we don’t want your username to check out and we’d all be plenty glad to help in any way we can.

Alternatively, over longsuffering posting items they need, an extra task I’m sure he doesn’t need at this time how about people just post an offering of items they have the ability to spare? I know most have multiples of a lot of things. Then the post remains and longsuffering can reach out now or later to those users when he determines what they need or don’t at his convenience.

[longsuffering]

Hi CP!

The man behind the username is me. I'm Eric.

I've never been in this situation before. I'm probably lucky that I can say that but this is unknown territory for me. I'm older than most posters and as Aeneas mentioned, it's not easy for me to ask for anything.

I've been around CP for many years. I don't post as much as some, and I mostly mix it up in the Off Topic forum these days when I do post. Admittedly, I've probably got a checkered reputation with some posters here, which also makes me feel a bit awkward.

I've also been here since the old days so I'm familiar with the PIMking 'scandal' and I'm mindful of that as well.

If I'm going to do this, I want to be transparent as possible. If you want to get to know me, or learn more about the fire, here are some links:

CTV on scene report That scraggly bearded homeless looking guy interviewed is me.

Valhalla View Fire Response Facebook page

My Facebook page

I'm blown away that people I've never met are so quick to offer help. I happened to meet Aeneas about a month ago when he purchased a Flame jersey I had for sale. He contacted me when he saw my posts in the threads he posted. He insisted on helping and wouldn't take no for an answer. He shows up today with a couple suitcases, gift cards and even replacement Christmas presents. His reputation on CP is well known. The man is a saint.

I've had a number of posters contact me by PM already. As I told them, We were just able to access the apartment for the first time on the 24th and it was just a short, escorted visit. My wife is back there today.

We haven't quite begun the process of sorting out what might be saved and what might be lost, and the insurance company hasn't been through the apartment yet, so it's tough to say specifically what we're going to need.

Clothing will be probably be the item we will have the most need for. We know everything is soaking wet but don't know whether stuff will be moldy by the time we can recover it. We don't want to ask for anything we don't genuinely need.

We're in temporary housing and living out of suitcases. We left the apartment with the clothes on our back. We've picked up a few items at the Bankview donation centre and thrift shops since.

We're spending money on living expenses that will hopefully be reimbursed by our insurance company in the future but who knows how long that may take. That's going to be a problem before too long.

So ... it would be nice to have some support on that side of things.

Cash or gift cards would provide the most flexibility for living costs, clothing, etc. That said, I completely understand people's reservations about sending cash to strangers.

Visa gift cards or cards from places like Walmart, Superstore, Co-op, PetroCanada or Esso would be useful. Thankfully our cat survived so we have a need for cat food, litter, etc. I don't know if pet stores do gift cards or not.

Personally, I'm kind of a phat phuck so I have to get my clothes at George Richards or Mr. Big & Tall. Thrift store options are limited for us extra special people. A card from one of those shops would allow me to get some articles of clothing, underwear, etc.

Obviously, we won't be receiving mail at our home address but a friend has offered to let us use their mailing address. I'll provide that to anyone who asks in a PM.

I'm reluctant to post my email address or phone in a public place but I will provide to anyone contacting me in a PM as well.

Some say that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I guess we'll find out.

Thank you CalPuck.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

Hi CP!

The man behind the username is me. I'm Eric.

I've never been in this situation before. I'm probably lucky that I can say that but this is unknown territory for me. I'm older than most posters and as Aeneas mentioned, it's not easy for me to ask for anything.

I've been around CP for many years. I don't post as much as some, and I mostly mix it up in the Off Topic forum these days when I do post. Admittedly, I've probably got a checkered reputation with some posters here, which also makes me feel a bit awkward.

I've also been here since the old days so I'm familiar with the PIMking 'scandal' and I'm mindful of that as well.

If I'm going to do this, I want to be transparent as possible. If you want to get to know me, or learn more about the fire, here are some links:

CTV on scene report That scraggly bearded homeless looking guy interviewed is me.

Valhalla View Fire Response Facebook page

My Facebook page

I'm blown away that people I've never met are so quick to offer help. I happened to meet Aeneas about a month ago when he purchased a Flame jersey I had for sale. He contacted me when he saw my posts in the threads he posted. He insisted on helping and wouldn't take no for an answer. He shows up today with a couple suitcases, gift cards and even replacement Christmas presents. His reputation on CP is well known. The man is a saint.

I've had a number of posters contact me by PM already. As I told them, We were just able to access the apartment for the first time on the 24th and it was just a short, escorted visit. My wife is back there today.

We haven't quite begun the process of sorting out what might be saved and what might be lost, and the insurance company hasn't been through the apartment yet, so it's tough to say specifically what we're going to need.

Clothing will be probably be the item we will have the most need for. We know everything is soaking wet but don't know whether stuff will be moldy by the time we can recover it. We don't want to ask for anything we don't genuinely need.

We're in temporary housing and living out of suitcases. We left the apartment with the clothes on our back. We've picked up a few items at the Bankview donation centre and thrift shops since.

We're spending money on living expenses that will hopefully be reimbursed by our insurance company in the future but who knows how long that may take. That's going to be a problem before too long.

So ... it would be nice to have some support on that side of things.

Cash or gift cards would provide the most flexibility for living costs, clothing, etc. That said, I completely understand people's reservations about sending cash to strangers.

Visa gift cards or cards from places like Walmart, Superstore, Co-op, PetroCanada or Esso would be useful. Thankfully our cat survived so we have a need for cat food, litter, etc. I don't know if pet stores do gift cards or not.

Personally, I'm kind of a phat phuck so I have to get my clothes at George Richards or Mr. Big & Tall. Thrift store options are limited for us extra special people. A card from one of those shops would allow me to get some articles of clothing, underwear, etc.

Obviously, we won't be receiving mail at our home address but a friend has offered to let us use their mailing address. I'll provide that to anyone who asks in a PM.

I'm reluctant to post my email address or phone in a public place but I will provide to anyone contacting me in a PM as well.

Some say that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I guess we'll find out.

Thank you CalPuck.

Dont worry about the bolded, if you cannot use it or need something any longer, it can always be regifted to others through Salvation Army etc...so once you get a list up dont be afraid to include anything you are not sure of.

[CaptainYooh]

PM sent.

[ricosuave]

PM sent to LS

[Scorch]

I’m looking for a volunteer with a couple hours to spare to help me with an unorthodox donation. No heavy lifting required, but someone in the inner city is preferred.

PM me if you’d like to help

Edit: thanks for the few of you who have offered to help!
I’m just needing to hear back from long suffering first

[TheScorpion]

Just watched the CTV video and man, there are no words. That brings back all the worst memories of the 2013 flood like salt in a wound. Just total devastation, what with being out of work right now too obviously only making matters more difficult. Made me really emotional just watching it.

Eric, once again, if you need anything at all, I’ll move heaven and earth to try and help you any way I can. And I strongly encourage those of you reading this who have the means to help... please consider even giving a little bit. Times like these... it’s a cliche, but every little bit helps.

God bless everyone who has offered help so far, I’m not a religious guy but there’s something truly sacred in people coming together like this.

[transplant99]

For those that want to pitch in easily here is the go fund me page. This isnt specific to LS but for all affected.


https://www.gofundme.com/f/valhalla-...-fire-bankview

[longsuffering]

Hello folks.

I thought it might a good time for an update.

Firstly I'd like to thank everyone who has reached out with offers of help and with donations of gift cards, e-transfers, etc. The generosity of people has been mind blowing. Thank you ALL!!

I know that a number of forum members have been waiting for a list of items that we have an urgent need for. We have a bit more clarity on that.

Our most immediate need is shoes and clothing, for both my wife and I. All our shoes have been ruined by standing water. All the coats, jackets, clothing in our closets and dressers have been wet since the fire and largely remains in place until our insurance company has an adjuster do a walk-through with us.

A poster, who I will name only when I have his permission, has generously offered to provide shoes and boots to me, but my wife could use similar help, including house slippers. She wears a women's 6 1/2 or 7.

I think I mentioned that we left the apartment with the clothes on our back. Where we could, we've picked up items from thrift stores and the donation centre set up by the community but most of what we have is sweats and loungewear type stuff. My wife received a very nice winter jacket the night of the fire from a stranger living across the street from us. I could use a warm coat though.

I'm a 3XL (I told you I was xtra special). Aeneas's donation of a Mr. Big and Tall gift card will be a big help. My wife insists on wearing loose clothing even though she is like a size 8 or 10. She prefers to wear a Large.
She's petit in stature.

As for household items, we'll be moving into a furnished space next week, so there's not much I can say now except, if anyone has a Keurig or Nespresso machine they no longer need or use, it would be gratefully accepted.

Ultimately, we anticipate insurance will cover our losses. Fingers-crossed.

Our short-term problem is having to pay for everything we replace and wait for who-knows-how-long for insurance to reimburse us. Clothing donations and gift cards are a big help.

Ours was one of 3 cars damaged as a result of the fire. The pessimist in me is worried that the insurance company will write it off. I may be in the market for a used low mileage, well maintained SUV soon. If you know of any .........

Again thanks to Aeneas, all of you that have reached and to all the Calgarians who have supported our neighbours.

I'll keep updating.

[Locke]

Please keep updating.

[EVERLAST]

I love our little hockey forum family. I started in 2013 with all I met during and after the floods.

Good on all of you that can help.

[nickerjones]

This is why I love CP. When I started hockey in Oklahoma a lot of Okies couldn't swing league fees and equipment ( hockey is expensive) and a group of CP'ers send down a ton of equipment to get some Okies on the ice. Now I work in hockey full time. Probably never would have happened if not for CP.

Troy is one of the best CP'ers out there. Im honored to have met him. Sadly to meet Troy I had to meet Locke. Gotta take the good with the bad I suppose.

Originally Posted by Aeneas

Please contact him directly. I will PM you his cell, or by PM.

For the love of God leave me out of it, or I'll be in Vegas by Saturday.

Troy.. great idea. You'd definitely double or even triple donations in no time.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

This is why I love CP. When I started hockey in Oklahoma a lot of Okies couldn't swing league fees and equipment ( hockey is expensive) and a group of CP'ers send down a ton of equipment to get some Okies on the ice. Now I work in hockey full time. Probably never would have happened if not for CP.

Troy is one of the best CP'ers out there. Im honored to have met him. Sadly to meet Troy I had to meet Locke. Gotta take the good with the bad I suppose.

Just one of those mysteries of life.