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Community rallies around family of slain Lumby woman

Fundraisers seeing immense support in small-town tragedy
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The fritters are Ida’s Bakery were an even bigger hit, selling out in just hours as the sweet treats supported the family of Tatjana Stefanski.

The 44-year-old Lumby woman, originally from Germany, was found dead after reported missing and allegedly abducted.

To support her two children and boyfriend amid the tragedy, the small-town of Lumby has stepped up in a big way to help.

The bakery’s fundraiser was a hit, selling out of apple fritters at 8 a.m. with $1 from each donated to the family.

“Lumby you are incredible,” Ida’s said.

The bakery also donated 10 per cent of all sales and $1 from every sandwhich sold Friday, plus collected donations from customers.

Community members can still lend their support for the remainder of the day at Ida’s as 10 per cent of all sales and $1 from every sandwhich is being donated.

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://gofund.me/a8f48098, raising more than $5,000 in its first two days.

Organizer Paula 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.”

You can also donation 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 rally was planned for Friday evening but has since been cancelled.

READ MORE: Schools on alert, Facebook threats as Lumby death sparks community outrage

READ MORE: Daughter speaks out after mom found dead following alleged abduction in Lumby





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