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Collecting for donations for a fire-struck family

May 10, 2011 | 6:21 AM

Donations are being collected for a family who lost their home in Timber Bay last week.

According to relatives, Aaron Halkett and his cousin Carmella died in the house fire. They had eight children between the two of them.

Three people were left homeless.

Diana Bird is trying to make life easier for their families.

She has made arrangements with the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre to collect donations. They need furniture, clothing for two men, bedding, household items and clothing and toys for a five-year-old boy.

“So far we are getting good response,” Bird said, explaining they already have couches, chairs, pots and pans and some toiletries and towels.

“Now we are just needing just stuff to make a home comfortable I guess.”

They do not have any furniture for bedrooms or the kitchen yet.

Bird became involved because she is originally from Montreal Lake, even though she does not know the family affected.

“They are all community members. When things like this happen, it devastates a lot of people,” she said.

Indian Child and Family Service in Montreal Lake has been involved daily helping the family and the community has been pulling together.

“When devastating things like this happen to people the community people just really help out.”

Right now the people who lost their home are staying with family in Montreal Lake and Timber Bay.

All donations can be dropped off at the Indian Metis Friendship Centre in Prince Albert. Bird said they will be taking donations all week and if more items are still needed they will continue into next week.

klavoie@panow.com