By Sheila Phibbs
The Haldimand Press
HAGERSVILLE/CALEDONIA—In the early afternoon of January 26, 2022, Nicole Brucks was at work in Caledonia when she took a call that no one wants to receive. It was her son telling her that their house in Hagersville was on fire.
What followed is what Brucks describes as “a strange mixture of gratitude and grief.” The grief is for the loss of the home that she and her children – Connor Basiuk, 18, Shayla Basiuk, 16, Danika Brucks, 11, Tristan Brucks, 9 – had only just moved into last September. She explains that after struggling to find the right house, “We lucked out and found this house that we really loved…. We were really starting to make it ours; it was our sanctuary, our fresh start.”
HAGERSVILLE—Nicole Brucks, centre, is happy her family is safe following a fire that destroyed their home. She is shown with her children (l-r) Shayla, Danika, Tristan, and Connor.
—Submitted photos.
Though it seemed that fresh start came to an abrupt halt, Brucks felt the gratitude of knowing that “we are all okay.” She extends appreciation to the firefighters for their efforts to save the house and offer comfort to her family. She says, “All of the firefighters were so amazing and considerate.”
In the days since, Brucks has been overwhelmed by kindness. She says, “This community is outstanding…. I can’t even keep up with thanking everyone. It’s really humbling.”
Brucks is especially grateful for her employers’ support at this time. This includes Zehrs in Caledonia, where she has worked for a year and a half. Upon hearing of the fire, store manager, Cara Haist, made plans for an ‘at the till’ fundraiser which has raised over $4,500 for the family. The store also provided Joe Fresh clothing to the family.
“Nicole is an outstanding individual. We knew we had to step up and do something for them. We love having her here and customers love having her here,” says Haist. “Nicole is always willing to learn and is kind…. She goes above and beyond to help. A lot of customers know Nicole; many fill out the online surveys and give kudos to Nicole. Customers have brought in gift cards and things to support her family.”
Brucks recently began a 9 to 5 job at Creative Vision Optical, but continues to work some evenings at Zehrs. She says, “I love it there, I love seeing the customers. I’m so proud to be a part of that community. I should be dead tired after working a 13-hour day but I feel rejuvenated after leaving Zehrs. I feel strengthened by the customers.”
Strength also comes from friends like Mel Carpenter, who opened her home to the family following the fire and established a GoFundMe page. Brucks recalls, “She told me, ‘My place is your place.’ She has made me feel so relieved.”
There was further relief when a temporary home was found in Caledonia and available to move into on February 1. Brucks credits Heather Keesmat of Remax for making this happen. The two became friends during the search that led to the home in Hagersville. Brucks says, “I don’t know how many houses she showed me. Now she’s found us a new place. She just cares.”
Help has come in unexpected ways as well. The owner of Sleepyzzz in Caledonia came forward offering new beds at a discount and with free delivery in time for the first night in their current home. Krystal Van Gronigen of the Wanda and Scott Salverda Foundation also reached out and presented a cheque in support of the family. After meeting Van Gronigen, Brucks says, “She is such a beautiful person. I encourage everyone to support that foundation.”
The family was also surprised when Tristan’s teacher, Lisa Honchar, delivered a package of gift cards and items collected by the River Heights Elementary School community. Donations like this have been so meaningful to the family as so much was lost due to extensive smoke damage. Brucks acknowledges, “Luckily I have a really great insurance company and they have been amazing. Staff from Morison Insurance (Hagersville) was there right away.”
Even neighbours they haven’t had the chance to meet have approached them wanting to help in some way. It’s a gesture that makes Brucks appreciate their home of Hagersville as much as they love their Caledonia community. As she reflects on the past two weeks, she says, “We will be okay. We will be restoring our house and will eventually be going back.”
In the meantime, Brucks is grateful for everything her family has received. She says, “To be able to help is such an honourable thing. I am so thankful and grateful for everyone who cares. I look forward to being able to give back and pay it forward.”
