Residents rallied this past weekend at a community barbeque fundraiser, serving burgers and hot dog meals, snacks, and frozen treats to support Arny and Claire Holben as they rebuild after a devastating May 21 fire destroyed their basement and upstairs bathroom.
The heartfelt event drew crowds from Poplar Point and the nearby area, highlighting an outpouring of solidarity for the couple, who narrowly escaped the blaze and now face rebuilding costs without insurance.
Overwhelming support
Arny and Claire Holben express deep gratitude for the community’s support, emphasizing how the fundraiser moved them during a challenging time.
"I'm just grateful for all the people who have come out and supported us. It just makes me feel so good. I'm usually the one who's helping, and now they're helping me," Arny says, filled with emotion, "I really appreciate what they're doing and just thank God that they're here to help."
Claire Holben underscored the fire’s impact and their immediate needs, noting they are staying with their daughter Samantha while awaiting repairs.
While the total has yet to be finalized, the couple estimates damages at $20,000 to $25,000, a burden compounded by their lack of insurance.
Harrowing escape details
The Holbens recount narrowly fleeing the 4 a.m. fire, which started from an extension cord powering a heater in the basement. Claire awoke to crackling sounds and alerted Arny amid suffocating smoke.
"I opened that bedroom door. And I couldn't see a thing that was all full of smoke. And then I couldn't talk because it was choking me, and he was in a dead sleep. I couldn't go back in because I couldn't breathe - the smoke was too intense."
Arny described a life-threatening struggle to escape, resulting in a leg injury and a 10-day hospital stay.
"I told her, 'The place is burning, get out.' I was in the bathroom, and I couldn't find my way out," he recounts, "I was feeling all over. It was just like I'm blind and I'm choking to death. I was almost panicking. I found the doorknob. I ran out and tripped over something. I went down on the carpet. I ripped my leg apart."
Gratitude and ongoing recovery
The couple extended heartfelt thanks to family and neighbours, stressing that community efforts are vital for their rebuilding journey.
"It's a big thank you, you know. Right from the heart. Thank you," Arny states emphatically, "And a big thank you to my daughter, my grandson. They are helping a lot. Our other daughter and grandkids from Winnipeg came in, and they all pitched in. Everybody that's everybody's really been doing a really great job and working really hard."
Arny also clarified his insurance situation, noting, "I have no insurance. I used to have it, but they priced me out of it."
As such, the barbeque proceeds mark a critical step in funding repairs for the Holbens, whose home remains without hydro or water.
A GoFundMe has been set up to collect donations for the couple as well, which you can donate to by clicking here.
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