GoFundMe fundraiser to continue into 2017 Continued from page 17
The family called 911 when they noticed smoke coming from the furnace and then vacated the house to wait for firefighters. Arora and her family drove from their Greely home when they got the message to be with their friends and watched as the fire burned. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours. By 3:30 p.m. the house was gone, said Arora. The fact that the fire happened in the early morning hours when people are often deeply asleep, “It’s really a Christmas miracle that they got out alive,” said Arora. “In the end this is what matters – things are just things. We are just so happy they got out alive.” NOT ALONE
Generosity has come pouring forth. People have donated cash and clothes, backpacks and other necessities to help the Joshis. The Huntmar police sta-
“I think that’s helping a lot; talking about it and knowing that we’re all here and we’re in this together. They are not alone at all,” said Arora. The group is tight-knit, she said, as many don’t have family in the area. They all spend Christmases together, vacation together, and have sleepovers and cottage trips. “They’ve been there when we adopted our son. They were there for our other friend whose son is going through cancer
tion hosted a clothing drive, St. Gabriel School where the twins attend classes raised funds while the boys’ classmates each brought in a gift for them, and even complete strangers have reached out to help. “In that way, this Christmas has just been probably the most amazing because you get to see what people are doing for people in need. So many don’t even know us or them and they’re just being so wonderful,” said Arora.
“Someone drove all the way from Kingston and dropped off a bag of clothes in an almost new suitcase.” RASNA ARORA FAMILY FRIEND
treatments. We’ve gone through a lot together,” said Arora. “Friends are the family you choose and we’re together through thick and thin. Right now it’s thin ice but we’re together. They’re going to get through it, I know it.” Arora has been writing per-
“Someone drove all the way from Kingston and dropped off a bag of clothes in an almost new suitcase, which is helpful because they’re living out of a bag right now.” The Joshis have been staying with friends, moving between their houses over the holidays.
sonal notes to everyone who has reached out to help the family, and is approaching local businesses for donations of gift cards for things such as groceries.
“Asking for things is very awkward,” said Arora, adding, “You never know – what you throw out into the world and what comes back, you never know.”
The GoFundMe fundraiser will continue in the new year. To donate to the family, visit gofundme.com/joshi-familyfire-relief-fund or email Arora at channiRarora@gmail.com.
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Nepean-Barrhaven News - Thursday, January 12, 2017 19