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EDITORIAL: Quiet heroism finds its home in Sooke

This week's editorial in the Sooke News Mirror recognizes overall effort of Sooke community heroes.

When tragedy strikes a community, there are often unsung heroes who step up to the plate and take charge.

They do it not only through their goodwill and charity, but to extend a helping hand to neighbours they often don’t even know.

One such incident happened in Sooke about a month ago when a fire ripped through Grant Manor. The fire left close to 20 people homeless.

All of those living in Grant Manor, an affordable housing facility, had some form of disability, be it physical or mental.

The fire left many of them scattered throughout the region. Some were lucky enough to find a new home, others relied on the charity of friends and family, or pitched a tent and hoped for the best.

Luckily, at least at the outset, there were social service agencies there to lend assistance.

Still, all was not well.

As the days and weeks passed, it became apparent that more was needed – much more. Many of the residents of Grant Manor were falling through the cracks.

There were individual and smaller groups coming together, but there wasn’t one group that could speak and find help where needed.

Once all these groups came together last week under one fundraising wing, little by little everything seems like it is coming together.

Household goods, money and other donations appear to be going to the right places or individuals. The former residents of Grant Manor are getting their lives back together.

There will be many ups and downs for those residents in the weeks and months ahead, but now they know someone has got their back and are moving to help them get their lives back as soon as possible.

Those who have stepped up to help have shown a quiet heroism we can all be proud of, and too often goes unrecognized.