After the Fire: Daybreak Rises from the Ashes Like a Phoenix.
DAYBREAK RISES LIKE A PHOENIX AFTER FIRE BURNS ACTIVITY CENTRE
On Monday, February 8, 2016 an electrical fire started in the roof of the Daybreak Centre at 95 Queens Rd in Sackville. “It is sad that all of our stuff was burned” says Daybreak member Noah Throop. The Centre lost about $21,000 worth of arts and crafts supplies, mental health education resources, books, movies, garden tools audio visual equipment and more “We had just about every kind of art and craft supply, decorations to celebrate every occasion around the calendar year, pamphlets, and you name it” explains Melody Petlock, Executive Director. “We had just bought a new TV” reports Andrew, another member. “We only had it a couple of days and only watched one film before we found out it had succumbed to the flames.”
“After it was all over we felt pretty down about it. It affected everyone. Members still think about it,” says another member. Members continue to visit the site.” It is shocking to see nothing but the floor left there,” reflects Andrew.
But the fire has not stopped Daybreak! By the Saturday after the fire over 30 members came together to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the annual “mass date.” The evening featured a time of reflection and remembering the fire, making new wish lists, eating lots of yummy food and going to a concert. “We are always better when we’re together” members agree.
As with any devastating event there are moments that uplift and give people hope. “It was a miracle that my wife’s journal and scrapbook didn’t burn and we found them where our old activity room used to be” reports Joe. Petlock says the book will be put in a new cabinet someone is going to make for Daybreak to hold memories old and new. The cabinet will hold a place of honour when Daybreak gets a new home.
Daybreak is grateful to Mount Allison University for providing a temporary office and activity space and to many others who have offered space for various activities.
Daybreak thanks the following individuals and organizations and many more for all of the help so far:
Ashley Broderick
Laurie Mitchell
Eileen Herteis
Doreen Beaton
Paula and Jim Throop
Demian Hammock
Mount Allison University
Town of Sackville
Sackville United Church
MASU Social Justice Committee
Our Place Chez Nous Activity Centre (Moncton)
Tantramar Heritage Trust
Open Sky Co-Operative
Sackville Chamber of Commerce
Daily Business Buzz. NB lab, Daybreak centre getting back on feet after fire.
Updated on March 02, 2016 - TRURO - More than $143,000 remains owing to the primary contractor of the Rath Eastlink Community Centre (RECC), according to a lawsuit launched against the Town of Truro and the County of Colchester..