In the swing of life, the universe gives and it takes, often in the best and worst of times.
Christina Lindquist of Sooke was 39 years old when she recently died from an aggressive form of cancer. She leaves behind her husband and three children.
The universe is still watching, though.
Lesley Baker, a new Sooke resident, saw a gofundme page for Lindquist and her family and decided to do something about it: she held a massive garage sale at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex, raising $1,900 and giving it all to Lindquist’s family.
Baker never got the chance to meet Lindquist, but is happy to help her family in the worst time possible.
“I thought, what’s the best way to raise some money and I just felt that no one should have to worry about money when going through something like that,” Baker said.
It took Baker a month of collecting donations from people in Sooke, storing it all in her living room, dining room and bedroom, until she could move it to SEAPARC.
Baker, previously from Sooke, moved recently from Alberta, where she lived for two years before moving back here. She’s used to fundraising and helping her community, regardless of where she lives. During the Fort McMurray wildfires, she took it upon herself again to do something about it.
“We raised about $60,000 in two weeks in food and money ... you just gotta do it,” she said, adding she takes after her mother’s strong sense of community.
Just recently, Baker met with Lindquist’s spouse to see how they’re holding up.
“We wanted to see how (this fundraiser) affects them and makes them realize that they’re not alone. It’s a small community, we’re all out to help them,” she said.
The money she raised is helping Lindquist’s family get ahead of bills, but Baker said the word needs to get out that the family needs food and basic supplies for the house.
“I’m trying to raise another $2,000 just so they’re covered,” Baker said, adding that if anyone would like to help, they can email her at 1wildapple@gmail.com.
“Let’s make it a good Christmas for them.”