As a Turner Valley man sits at his wife's side in the Foothills Hospital in Calgary his community is scrambling to do what they can to help the local family.
Foothills Lions Club members opened trust accounts at the Royal Bank in Turner Valley and ATB Financial in Black Diamond in Willi Craciun's name after Craciun, a member of the Lions Club, lost his home to a fire on Monday. The Town of Turner Valley is also collecting physical donations including clothing, food and household items at the town office.
Craciun's wife Elly, who has been confined to a wheelchair the past few years, was rescued from the blaze by neighbours and is in critical condition suffering from extreme burns and smoke inhalation caused by the blaze.
“ They've lost everything,” said Foothills Lions Club president James Lee, adding the Craciuns didn't have home insurance. “ We are doing whatever we can to help. We figured the first thing he is going to need is a little bit of money. We thought this might be a good start.”
At a regularly scheduled Foothills Lions Club meeting on Tuesday evening, Lee said Willi and Elly were the focus of the discussion.
“ This was front and centre and superseded everything else that was on the agenda,” he said. “ As Lions our motto is we serve and we wouldn't be very good servers if we didn't look after our own.”
Lee said the club didn't think twice about helping a man who has done so much for the community as an individual and a Lion for almost 40 years.
“ You can ask anybody in the community and they would say he would be the first to help anybody,” he said. “ He's lived to serve his fellow man and that's huge.”
Lee said other plans will be made in the future for fundraising activities to support the family.
Craciun is currently staying at the Foothills Hospital with his daughter to be at his wife's side, he said.
“ What's paramount right now is they have a little family time together at this point,” he said. “ It's a tough time for them.”
Those interested in making donations to the trust accounts can request tax receipts at both financial institutions. For more information go to www.turnervalleyfire.com
