A local family saw some extra support from a bottle and can drive over the weekend following a fire that destroyed their home. On May 14th, Taylor Brandon Cote's home was destroyed by a fire in Estevan. While all of the occupants made it out safely, there was plenty lost in the fire.
That's why Jared Christiansen set up a bottle fundraiser on the weekend, collecting empty bottles for SARCAN and donating the proceeds to the family.
Christiansen says the whole event saw a lot of backing from the wider community.
"I fired it up, I believe, on Thursday, and I had so much support pouring in. People were messaging me like constantly through the whole long weekend, picking up bottles, and we raised $1318 over the course of the weekend."
Christiansen says he was actually texting with Jasmine Crouse, one of the affected family members, as it was happening, and thought of a bigger fundraiser while he was helping them as much as he could.
"I had sent the money to just kind of go get some clothes because she had said they kind of lost everything. I kind of spent most of the day thinking, 'What else can I do to try to bring in some more funds for these guys?' I'd seen the GoFundMe, but I figured there was just probably something more that I could do for them."
It's important to help out those who are close family friends, says Christiansen.
"I know Jasmine quite well, but I also know kind of the whole family and extended family, and they're always good people to me. They deserved all the help that we could kind of come together to give them."
People can still help out as the fundraiser is ongoing, with plenty of options to donate.
"We have the Quick Drop set up, so it is under the Crouse/Cote House," said Christiansen. "You can do that, or you can reach out to me at 306-471-8795, and I can try to come and pick up the bottles through my work schedule."
Christiansen says seeing the community step up to the plate when it comes to donating for the cause has been inspiring.
"I was completely overwhelmed this weekend. This is something I didn't think was going to spiral out of control as much as it did. I figured, you know, maybe make three hundred bucks for them. But I can't believe we've surpassed that by a thousand dollars already."
"I mean, I still got people reaching out to come and get bottles picked up. There are people who have been dropping off, too. So it's just it's crazy to see how great the community can come together like this. Community starts with each and every one of us."
Besides the individual donations, Christiansen also thanked donors like Preferred Energy, L&C Trucking, Gibby's, with Prairie Dog Rentals and Johnson Plumbing & Heating also offering a trailer for the drive.