The Chatham-Kent Cougars Football Club is rallying together to help a local family who lost their home in a fire just before Christmas.
Sanderson family's home that was destroyed by fire in Dresden. (Photo courtesy of Selwyn Jordan).
Less than a week ago, the Sanderson family's home on Pantry School Rd. near Dresden burned down. All five family members and the dog got out safely, but they lost all of their belongings.
Selwyn Jordan, president of the Chatham-Kent Cougars Football Club, says the family has been involved with the team for years.
"The Sanderson family has been a great help to the Cougars Football Club. They've helped out with the 50/50 set up of the field for every game situation. They're usually the first to arrive and last to leave... we really appreciate their support and this is one small way that we'd be able to help them out in a time of need," says Jordan.
Jordan says Darryl and Laurie Sanderson are the parents of Cam and Jonathon, who have both been involved with Cougars minor football. They also have a daughter named Candis Sanderson.
He says he is collecting donations this week for the family.
"Being so close to Christmas, we thought there would be something that we would be able to do with our club and organization to rally and help out another Cougar family," says Jordan.
Jordan says the club held a donations night on Tuesday and collected a trunk full of clothing, money, and gift cards. He says he will be hosting another one on Wednesday.
"We have our last one [Wednesday] from 6pm to 8pm at the CKSS [Chatham-Kent Secondary School] main field by the barn. If anyone is able to drop by and give anything for donation, it would be appreciated," says Jordan.
A relative of the family also set up a Go Fund Me page to raise more donations and support.
According to Jordan, the Sandersons will be living at the grandparents' house for the holidays.