Ottawa Neighbourhood Services is trying to keep its charitable operations active and is asking the community for financial help after two early Sunday morning fires, which are believed to have been deliberately set.
The local not-for-profit, which recently celebrated its 80th anniversary, accepts donated goods and re-sells them to the community at discount prices. They also provide essentials, such as clothing and furniture, free of charge, to those who need them – and fire victims are included in that group.
“And now we’re a fire victim ourselves,” says ONS president Patricia Lemieux.
The back of the 250 City Centre Ave. store was damaged by the blaze, which destroyed beds and other pieces of furniture. Other donated goods suffered water damage after the fire was quashed. Machines are still trying to air out the smoke.
The store was closed Monday but has since re-opened. Still, due to the damage, only half of the shop is open to customers.
Small shelves, cabinets, and 43 mattresses have been arranged outside. None of that furniture is sellable. “We have no beds left,” says Lemieux.
Last weekend’s fire in Old Ottawa South tore through two Hopewell Avenue homes, causing $1 million in damages. The next day, neighbours announced a fundraiser would be held to help the victims.
But Lemieux says, “It’s impossible for us to even plan or coordinate anything that would be able to help.” Ottawa Neighbourhood Services has suffered through a series of financial problems over the years and has just been trying to get by and stay open.
The community has been generous with its donations, but she says many donated goods cannot be taken, especially furniture. It will just “be sitting there in a pile of smoke,” she says.
They are wary of selling seemingly undamaged furniture to customers. “I’m not going to give it to someone and have them get sick over it,” she says.
But they will continue regular drop box pick-ups and donations will be accepted on a call-for-call basis. They are also making arrangements for storage space while the shop is aired out.
They are requesting donations for summer clothing as many items were soiled by water damage. Funds raised will be used to pay for the extensive cleanup of charred debris.
The fire hit the “business with a difference” hard, but Lemieux says it could have been much worse. “Somebody could have lost their life,” she says.
Click HERE to read our previous story about Ottawa Neighbourhood Services and its 80th anniversary.