SURREY — Residents of the Celeste apartment building that was badly damaged by fire last summer received some good news last week.
Associa Cares, the charitable arm of strata management company Associa B.C., is donating $15,250 to the nearly 100 residents that were displaced following the four-alarm fire at 8183 121A St. last August.
It had 78 units in all.
“We know that this fire affected many families and we hope that these funds can help some of them to begin to get back on their feet,” said Frank Wood, Associa B.C. president, in a release.
“At Associa B.C. we strive to deliver unsurpassed service and I want to thank all of our employees who contribute to Associa Cares and especially the folks who helped organize the distribution to these families.”
The Surrey blaze brought almost 40 firefighters to the scene and flames were 15 to 20 feet high.
The Surrey Fire Department said the fire began on a balcony on the second floor of the four-storey building, accidentally started by someone smoking on a balcony.
Many of the displaced residents had young children and the building was also home to a large number of senior citizens.
After a local staff member brought the displaced residents of the Celeste building to the attention of the Associa Cares board, it was a unanimous vote to help.
“I was so happy to see that come forward,” said Dawn Castledon, director of operations for Associa B.C. who works out of the company’s Surrey office.
“So residents were called to let them know that we are giving them assistance.
“People are very thankful,” she added. “You think about people that are displaced and it’s sad, very sad.”
The national non-profit was created to help people in crisis after natural or man-made disasters.
It helped some residents during the Fort MacMurray fires in Alberta in 2013, as well as earthquake victims in Mexico.
“We’re an international company, so we help where we can,” said Castledon.
The money to provide aid is raised by Associa employees, generous donors and fundraising events.
Requests for help may be submitted at associacares.com.
With files from Beau Simpson and Tom Zytaruk
