Barefoot Beach Resort has offered support for the LaRose family who lost their Twin Lakes house in a fire on Friday.
On the evening of Sept. 23, a chimney fire caught hold and spread, eventually engulfing the LaRose family home. (read more here: Local family safe, but house gutted by fire).
The family of five, including three children aged 5, 6 and 13 escaped unharmed, but their home and belongings were completely destroyed, other than a few valuables they managed to grab.
Max Picton, president of Barefoot Beach Resort, said the family will be temporarily moving into one of their yurts and the resort is acting as a hub to collect items the community wants to donate to the LaRose family.
Curtis LaRose is part-owner of the Minute Muffler in Penticton, which is also accepting donations.
"The community has really rallied together and their GoFundMe account has already exceeded the goal that was set," said Picton. "Curtis has been involved in a lot of fundraisers with Minute Muffler to help various people and organizations in this community. So when this tragedy hit their family the whole community is banding together to give their support back to him which is a great thing to see."
The GoFundMe account has already raised $6,120 in one day.
"We are in total and complete amazement at this incredible amount of support from our family, friends, neighbours and strangers alike. We are so thankful for each and every one of you," the family wrote on the GoFundMe page.
Picton created a Facebook page (Support for the LaRose family) and is asking those who want to donate to the family to visit it.
"Luckily we had a large enough unit at Barefoot Beach Resort to be able to help them out with a place to stay and we also created the Facebook page so anyone who wants to donate items can post it on there and that way people know what has already been given to them or what is needed," said Picton.
Support items can be dropped off at the Barefoot Beach Resort front office and will be given to the LaRose family.