School overwhelmed by donations for family that lost home

The Rosemont Community School is collecting donations for a Regina family who lost their home in a fire but quickly became overwhelmed by generosity.

Principal Hillary Ibbott Neiszner posted a message on the school website and her personal Facebook page on Wednesday, asking the public for help.

“The response has just been overwhelming. We’ve had donations of clothing, cash, gift cards, household items, toys, books,” said Ibbott Neiszner.

In less than 24 hours, an entire room in the school quickly filled up with boxes and bags of donations dropped off by parents of students and others in the community.

Two of the children who lost their home are students at the school but donations are being collected for the whole family, sorting through the gifts to designate them for each of the five kids.

With so many donations flowing into the school, it’s now asking for cash or gift cards in lieu of more clothing or toys. The school is also in need of Rubbermaid bins so it can haul all the items to the family on Friday.

“We just simply don’t have room to store it all. The family is currently in a hotel. They don’t have a lot of storage space at this point in time,” said Ibbott Neiszner.

Rosemont Community School is accepting donations Thursday until 7:30 p.m. and again from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

“The spirit and Christmas or the spirit of the season, however you celebrate it, is definitely alive and well.”