Gena Barzan is used to helping others overcome disasters.

Now, the director of a local thrift store is calling on the public for help.

Barzan is a director with the Animal Auxiliary Thrift Store, located in the 3100 block of 29th Avenue in downtown Vernon, and the building suffered significant damage due to a leaky roof Tuesday morning, Dec. 5.

鈥淲hen we got in this morning, the roof that鈥檚 been leaking on-and-off for a month-and-a-half was leaking everywhere, and the ceiling had caved in, in certain areas,鈥� said a teary Barzan.

Lots of merchandise inside the store was significantly damaged.

鈥淚t鈥檚 underneath our fridges and freezers, and damaged things in boxes already paid for that we do from our auction that raises money to help fund everything,鈥� said Barzan, adding the overhead and the lease cost about $3,500-$3,600 per month.

The damage will result in the store being shut down for at least a couple of weeks, possibly through to the end of the month.

And the timing couldn鈥檛 be worse. The thrift store provides monthly hampers to seniors on the last Thursday of every month, and in December, 54 seniors receive special Christmas hampers full of things like chicken, ham, eggs, toiletries, fruits and vegetables, canned food, homemade candies and goodies, and special cards signed with Christmas greetings from the store鈥檚 customers.

Now, those hampers that are prepared on Dec. 19 and delivered Dec. 22 are in serious jeopardy.

鈥淧eople rely on us for enough food in their hampers so for one month out of the year, they鈥檙e not using any of their pension cheque money for food,鈥� said Barzan. 鈥淭hat helps enable them to pay their bills.

鈥淭he Christmas hampers are very special to us. It鈥檚 very sad for all of us. Volunteers have been coming in this morning, and everyone is in tears. This is the time of year when we鈥檙e giving so much. To think we might not able to is very hurtful.鈥�

The company works six months of the year toward the Christmas hampers, and Barzan said this year was extra tough because of the rising costs of food and other items.

The store is usually open four days a week to cover the lease and overhead. Barzan said they will need monetary help.

鈥淚 wish this was like a Hollywood fairy tale, that there was a happy ending and that we鈥檇 be ready to be open by tomorrow, but it鈥檚 not,鈥� she said.

If you can help, call Barzan at 1-250-438-0062.

The building is attached to The Starting Block, which sells running, walking, and trail gear. Owner Penny Trudel says her business has not been affected by any leaks and remains open for business.