The home of my parents, Stella and Ray, exploded on February 23, 2025, due to a gas leak while they were visiting me. The entire house and almost all of its contents have been destroyed. The house was modest, but my parents put a lot of love into it, building beautiful additions and gardens as they were able to afford it with their pension funds and their own labour. The destroyed contents include family heirlooms and photos, souvenirs from our childhood travels, my Dad's art studio with extensive supplies and equipment, a bountiful harvest from my Mom's garden, and many artworks by my Dad and his friends. This art collection was invaluable and irreplaceable, but this fundraiser's goal of $15,000 represents the market value of just one of those paintings. As a working artist, my Dad could not afford to insure these artworks, so will not be compensated for their loss. I hope that this fundraiser can support my parents in the near-term as they pick up the pieces and work to establish themselves in a new home. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and generosity in this difficult time.

~ Bradley Clements