Achi news desk-
Inside Savchenko and Kazunin’s family home in Dieppe, NB, the walls are covered with family photos, several lamps warm the space and carefully placed furniture helps fill each room.
It looks like an everyday home, but the four walls have a very special story to tell.
“Yesterday we were very happy and we cried with happiness,” said Maryna Savchenko.
On Wednesday, Maryna, Anatolii and Rostyslav Savchenko, along with Oleh Kazunin, picked up the keys to their new home in Dieppe after arriving in the Greater Moncton area just two weeks ago.
When they walked into their new house, they found it full of furniture and personal touches.
“Last night we didn’t sleep because we were shocked,” said Maryna.
Exit Realty Realtor Jacky Stephen met with the family about 10 days ago.
“I asked them if they had anything for the house, they explained to me that between the language barrier we have, they have nothing, just their clothes,” said Stephen. “That night I drove home and I was on a mission to try and find everything I could to make this place their home.”
He immediately took to Facebook and the donations started pouring in.
Stephen says she has three grandsons of her own and when she saw 11-year-old Rostyslav, she knew she wanted to help.
“I can’t imagine my three grandsons leaving the war and going to another country, so when I saw him it tugged at my heart in a very big way and that’s when I became very determined to make sure I could make this family nice ok a place to live,” he said.
The first donation she received came from the owner of Exit Realty, followed by gift cards and monetary donations from all over New Brunswick, including from Cindy Chiasson and Stephane Comeau of Royal LePage in Bathurst, and the generosity didn’t stop there.
“I was pumped and I called my best friend Sylvie, explained the situation and asked for help and she said ‘I’m all in,'” said Stephen.
Three beds were donated from Sleep Country on Frenette Avenue in Moncton, Canadian Tire in Riverview donated a bike, helmet and many other goodies, and McArthur’s Nursey made sure fresh plants helped finish off the space.
Stephen even printed and framed family photos to hang on walls and place on shelves so that the family would feel right at home from the moment they walked in.
“With all that, I was able to do all this and with any money that was left after we got every little detail, we went and got some groceries and filled the cupboards with what we had” n think they might need it,” he said. He said.
Stephen and Sylvie Poirier spent several days collecting donations, shopping and decorating the space before they passed on the keys on Wednesday night.
“I felt very emotional and I had tears in my eyes just to see, how excited they were to see their rooms and the kitchen, they opened all the cupboards and it was nice to see them very excited and very appreciative of the house,” said Poirier. “It feels really good. I don’t think there’s anything that can describe how good we feel.”
Thursday will mark the first night the family will spend in their new home.
“We feel very happy because we are coming to Canada two weeks ago and this is the first step in Canada. We are very happy because it shows that the Canadian people are very great people,” said Oleh Kazunin.
“When we opened this house, we had emotions, it’s a big surprise, we’re not ready for this. It’s a great job. We must say thank you very much.”
As for what’s next, everyone who takes part walks away with new friendships as well as a comfortable place to call home.
The family have already invited Stephen and Poirier back for a barbecue when the weather is nicer and the pair have extended the invitation for help as the family continues to settle.
Thursday morning Maryna reached out to Stephen and said, “You have thought of every detail, spent your time, energy and money to make it all work. You are amazing.
“My sisters and parents, who are now in Ukraine, cried when I showed them this, and they also thank you for having such a kind heart.”
