01/21/2016
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 An early morning fire yesterday destroyed the home of church members, Alivin and Anita Wilson, daughter Ellen, and the family of their son, Kerry and 9 children. Everyone got out safely but it was a very traumatic event for many people. They lost everything except the night clothes, jacket and winter boots they were wearing. The blaze raged rapidly and Highway Grey Road 2 was closed by the police for most of the day. The house burned to the ground. The fire department had to bring in an escavator to remove the winter wood supply in the remaining basement area to get the fire put out. Donations have been pouring in and Kolapore Church has been the centre for sorting all those things that people have donated. It is now time to stop giving clothes and put any giving efforts into non perishable food items or financial donations to help the two families recover. Thank you to all that have been so generous and caring. Jeff Wilson, husband of Kerry, returns from Prince Edward Island tonight. Through the donation of an empty house to this family, Kerry and children were settled and safe by last night. Alvin and Anita and Ellen remain at his brother's farm across the road. The barn full of livestock was not harmed, and it is a busy lambing period, so losing the water supply cause serious concern. Farmers in the area rallied to bring in a big tank of water for emergency need and to help decide what to do to get water flowing again.. A special thanks to the members of the local Fire Department and the Police Department for all their help on this sad day. The home that burned had been in the Wilson family for 100 years, as both brother had been raised there with their 10 other siblings. It has been in the possession of the Wilson family for four generations. What a marvelous community that surrounds this church. Thank you. -Norma Gillespie