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'It kind of broke my heart': Woman starts GoFundMe page for Prince George family who lost home in fire

The family of three will be moving into a new place in January
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Rick Waterston, his wife Shannel and daughter Erica lost their home in a Nov. 30 fire. (via Facebook/Rick Waterston)

One Prince George family is experiencing the generosity of others after losing their home in a devastating fire.

Terri Hulkovich, a CN foreman, is raising money through GoFundMe for her employee Rick Waterston, who lost his home during a Nov. 30 duplex blaze on Pinewood Avenue.

While everyone was able to get out safely, Waterston, his wife Shannel and their almost three-year-old daughter Erica were home at the time of the fire.

“I went out to get something from the car and I saw the reflection of the fire in the neighbour’s garage across the street, so I thought it was their house that was on fire. I went back in to get my phone and call 911.”

He says that when he ran across the street to see if they needed a hand, he looked to his left and realized that it was actually his house on fire.

“I quickly ran back in and grabbed my wife and child and some personal things that were there and we left.”

Waterston says he believes the fire started in the basement of the duplex next door and may have been caused by a small portable heater.

“We lost probably half the stuff we had but nothing compared to the people next door who lost pretty much everything. We were the luckier ones, us and the apartment upstairs.”

When Hulkovich heard about the fire, she immediately wanted to do something to help.

“I found out the day after it happened. One of the other guys on my crew called me and told me what had happened. I don’t really know how to do the GoFundMe thing but I thought I’ll try it,” Hulkovich tells PrinceGeorgeMatters.

The fundraising campaign has raised $550 so far, out of a $2,000 goal. Most of the donations are coming from friends, family and other CN employees.

“Honestly, it kind of broke my heart,” says Hulkovich. “I just want to help them out because I know he’s the only one in the family that works and it’s a struggle. I can’t afford to just do it myself, so I threw some money in and started a GoFundMe.”

Waterston says he was shocked when he found out Hulkovich started the initiative.

“My work colleges all chipped in and gave us some gift cards for Save-On and it was them that told me that Terri started a GoFundMe campaign,” he says. “There are people there that really care when you are in need and wondering what’s going to happen to you.”

Waterston, Shannel and Erica are currently staying with Waterson’s parents, and plan on moving into a new apartment in January.

“You don’t realize how important family is and you take everything for granted. Nothing is ever going to happen to you. Thank god I had family around; otherwise, who knows what we would do.”

If you would like to donate to the Waterstons, you can do so here.