Achi news desk-
Residents of a southeast Calgary neighborhood have raised thousands of dollars to support a family grieving the loss of a father and grandfather.
Chad Martin, 48 years old from Auburn Bay, and his father Willard Martin, 76, were killed on Friday.
The two were working on a vehicle together — one of their shared hobbies — when something moved and the vehicle fell on them.
They leave Martin’s wife, Natasha, and three children under the age of 12: Edie, Miah and Jake.
Family members describe the men as “hardworking, kind and compassionate.”
“(Willard) was a wonderful guy, a wonderful father,” said Vance Eva. “(They were) both really great people. The community was very lucky to have them.”
Another relative called Martin a “community guy,” who would be the first to help others on his block with anything and everything.
So it should come as no surprise that many of those neighbors seek out his family in a moment of need.
One friend has started a GoFundMe page to “help with day-to-day bills, funeral costs and any other unexpected expenses that may arise during this heartbreaking time.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, it had brought in more than $85,000.
Close to where the Martins live, another fundraiser has brought in more financial help.
The A&W on Auburn Meadows Drive SE will donate $2 from every combo sold Wednesday to the Martin family, including orders placed through third-party delivery apps.
“As I am members of the community, they are our family, even though I don’t know them personally,” said Franchiser Balwant Singh. “Being human, we should play our part all the time.”
Singh says he also matches any cash donations made at the store.
“They go through a lot, but if I put myself in their shoes, I can feel their pain. We can try to ease it,” he told CTV News.
“I always say that we cannot walk for them, but we can walk with them during this difficult time so that they are not alone in this.”
Another neighbor in Auburn Bay has started a “meal train” for the grieving family.
Community members have volunteered their time to make and deliver food to Natasha and her children.
One family member tells CTV News that almost a month’s worth of meals have already been offered.
