After a fire last Friday claimed the home of a Kerrobert family, the community is rallying together to help them get back on their feet.

The Blanchette family home, located on a farm south of Kerrobert where they raised cattle, caught fire just before midnight last Friday. The family of four, Ryan, Kerri and their two sons were able to escape the home unharmed and fire crews were on scene fighting the blaze until the morning hours. Despite efforts made, the Blanchette family’s home and their belongings was lost to the fire.

One local woman took the initiative to create an online buy and sell benefit for the family in an effort to help raise money and aid in the days and months following their loss.

Marli Sheperd said she got to know the Blanchette’s through their kids activities and wanted to do something to help them. The Facebook page allows friends, families and strangers to donate items and services with all the proceeds being donated to the Blanchette family.

Sheperd, who has recently been in touch with the family, shared that they are still in shock and are working on getting the essentials in place. She added that a local family who is currently away on vacation, offered their home to the Blanchettes while they are away and the generosity of others has been pouring in since the Friday night tragedy.

The Facebook group, Online Benefit for the Blanchette Family, was set up by Shepard this past Saturday and as of Tuesday morning there were approximately 63 items up for bid with many receiving bids well above the stated value. Included were items such as toques with bids for over $150 and others donating services such as fencing and welding bringing in bids of over $1000.

Sheperd added that although the Blanchette’s lost their belongings, they do not have anywhere currently to physically keep items, therefore the money raised will then go to help the family rebuild once they are able to do so.

Currently, the page has almost 500 members and has been able to raise approximately $7000 for the family.