A local recycling company has offered to hold a bottle drive to replace the 60 bags of items that were stolen from a woman raising funds for a couple struggling with the illness of their 10-month-old daughter.
The bottles were stolen from outside the home of Candace Martyn of Abbotsford on Nov. 15. She had been collecting them with the help of her sister Lisa Kask of Delta and friend Alix Daniels of Abbotsford, and their value was estimated at between $300 and $500.
The trio have been raising funds for Chilliwack’s Andrew Putt and Chelsey Whittle, who are unable to work while they care for their daughter, Lilee-Jean.
The baby is now undergoing chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer and having surgery performed on Oct. 21.
The News reported the theft in its Nov. 19 edition, and the story was followed as a TV news piece.
Staff members of Regional Recycling in Abbotsford saw the TV report and discussed the matter with general manager Paul Mellis.
He said they wanted to do something to help.
“We do a lot of bottle drives here in Abbotsford, and we pride ourselves on being part of the community ... You don’t ever want to think about what (the couple) are going through.”
Martyn said the gesture has shown that there are “so many wonderful people in this world.”
“The fact that complete strangers are stepping forward to help a family in need is absolutely amazing,” she said.
The bottle drive takes place Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Abbotsford News, 34375 Gladys Ave.
All recyclable containers will be accepted, as well as scrap metal.
Recyclables can also be dropped off at any Regional Recycling depot (Abbotsford, Surrey, Richmond, Vancouver and Whistler). The public can ask for the proceeds to be deposited into the “Love for Lilee” account.
The Abbotsford location is at 750 Riverside Rd. Bottle pickup can can be arranged before and on the day of the bottle drive.
For more information, contact Martyn at candacemartyn@hotmail.com or 778-552-3513, visit http://loveforlilee.com/fundraisers/ or visit the “Love For Lilee” page on Facebook.