GRANVILLE FERRY, N.S. — Barbara Lachowicz’s long-term dream is to stay in Granville Ferry, have the rubble removed from the land where her house burned down, and rebuild a small home that has a good roof, walls, and the basics to make a home again.
And people are helping her make that dream come true.
On May 10 Lachowicz lost her home on the Annapolis Basin to fire – after cancelling her house insurance in January due to financial reasons.
“Barbara is new to the community having moved last May from Toronto,” said Kate Tanczos in a GoFundMe page called ‘Barbara’s Fire Recovery Fund – Granville Ferry.’ “She found her dream home, a century old fixer-upper and looked forward to bringing it back to life. Her new home truly brought her happiness.”
Lachowicz lost almost everything.
“Devastatingly, the fire claimed the life of one of her beloved cats and most of her personal belongings,” the GoFundMe story said.
While the GoFundMe page had an original goal of $10,000, about the same cost as removing the rubble from the property, that was soon surpassed and raised to $12,000, and by late May 20 a new goal of $15,000 was set and $13,200 raised.
INSURANCE
Amazingly, Lachowicz’s insurance was still valid until June. She didn’t know that until three days after the fire.
“The total value of her insurance is roughly $60,000 and after the clean up, left over money will go towards a rebuild,” said Tanczos. “The insurance company has up to 60 days to provide this amount. Contents were not insured.”
She said ideally they are hoping for at least $40,000 towards a rebuild from the insurance company, along with all the money collected through the GoFundMe page.
“The goal is to have a small house built with all funds available and any donation of services,” Tanczos said. “This would include the bare necessities of a build including the frame, roof, insulation, windows, plumbing, electricity, and a stove. To have this happen, it will truly take a village. We are keeping this page open for anyone who would like to continue to donate, as we can use all the support given to make this dream come true.”
In her original story on GoFundMe, Tanczos noted that because firefighters believed the house was uninsured a fire investigation was not completed. The house was demolished so firefighters could extinguish stubborn flames in inaccessible spots.
GENEROUS
In a single year as a Granville Ferry resident, it’s obvious Lachowicz made an impression and some good friends.
“Short term, Barbara has been so generously given accommodation until July 1 and then she will search for a rental in Annapolis or Granville Ferry,” Tanczos said. “She has received some funds outside this page to help her, plenty of clothes, and a kind neighbour searched through the rubble and found her prescription glasses!”
Tanczos’ latest update also included news that the insurance appears valid and will begin to clean up the rubble. They’re hoping that will start within a week or two.
“As we move forward, my heart is full,” said Tanczos. “Thank you once again to everyone involved in this journey.”
GoOnline: GoFundMe.com
