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Vigil. Treats. Crafts. Decals.Fundraising.
The Village of Lumby is stepping up in a big way to honour one of its own.
A vigil will be held Friday, April 26, at 7 p.m. at Oval Park for Tatjana Stefanski, the 44-year-old mother and partner, originally from Germany, who was found dead earlier in the month after being reported missing and allegedly abducted.
It’s being organized by a group called Justice For Tatjana, and it’s one of many village efforts to remember Stefanski.
A memorial lantern building event as well as crafting blue hearts takes place today, Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and again Friday, from 3-6 p.m. at Lumby Christian Church basement, organized by the local home schooling moms.
The fritters at Ida’s Bakery were an even bigger hit, selling out in just hours as $1 from the sale of the sweet treats supported Stefanski’s family. The fritters were gone by 8 a.m.
“Lumby you are incredible,” Ida’s said.
The bakery also donated 10 per cent of all sales and $1 from every sandwich sold Friday, plus collected donations from customers.
Cash donation jars are also set up at Jitterbeans Coffee House and Okanagan Outpost in Lumby, where you can also purchase Justice for Tatjana decals.
A Gofundme has been established online for donations at https://www.gofundme.com/s?q=tatjana+stefanski, raising nearly $7,000 thus far.
The organizer, a woman named Paula L, hopes to help the family with the expenses piling up amid their grief.
“Counselling, therapy, living expenses, lawyers, etc. are only a small list of things ahead for this family,” she said. “Jason has to now navigate life raising three children and jump through all the hurdles that losing Tatjana will bring. Let’s help take some of the load off of their family at this time.”
Decals reading Justice For Tatjana are available OKanagan Outpost with 100 per cent of the donations going to Stefanski’s family. Store hours are Tuesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 10-4, and Saturday 10-4.
You can also donate refundables at Chaser’s Bottle Depot in Vernon to the family by giving the account Justice for Tatjana #326.
The community is also urged to write or call local MP and MLA offices “to demand they bring awareness and changes to the broken justice system,” said Paula.
“As the family awaits justice, they are left feeling scared and hopeless. This man is freely walking among us in our community.”
A Mother’s Day Lunch will be held Sunday, May 12, at ACE Building Centre (2060 Shuswap Avenue) with all proceeds going to Stefanski’s family.
You can follow events at share your support on Facebook at Justice for Tatjana.
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