REALTOR® helps family through crisis Summer 2006
When Wayne and Leanne Irwin and their four-year old son William had no place to go after a fire destroyed their home, it was BC REALTOR® Tim Jones who came to their rescue. Five days after the fire, the Irwin family was sleeping soundly in a hotel suite that Jones had found and covered the cost for a full month.
"I had a little soft spot in my heart because I've been through this. About five years ago I had a fire and lost everything," said Jones who works with Century 21 Executives Realty in Vernon.
The Irwins also received donations of money and necessities from the community and other local REALTORS®. They were deeply moved, if not surprised, by the generosity of Jones and the rest of the community.
At one point, upon seeing how upset William was over the loss of his favorite stuffed toy, neighbors went on a search and rescue mission. They found the teddy bear in the wreckage, cleaned it and returned it to William.
"We were overwhelmed by the help of the community," said Leanne Irwin. "We didn't know there were so many helpful, nice people out there."
The support of their community allowed the Irwin family to use money they had saved prior to the fire to buy a home. Seven months later the Irwin family are back on their feet and living in Spallumcheen where William attends preschool.
Century 21 also bought and donated a bunch of housing accessories and furniture for the Irwin's new home. Jones, the catalyst behind Century 21's charitable efforts, is thrilled so many people pitched in to help the Irwin family.
"It's good to see them back on their feet and going in the right direction," said Jones.
This article is protected by copyright and is licensed only for your personal use. All other rights are reserved. This article may not be reproduced, retransmitted, disseminated, sold, distributed, published, broadcast or circulated without the prior written consent of CanWest Global Interactive Inc.