A chest filled with linens and towels on the doorstep greeted Jan Termehr Dion on the morning of August 7. Someone in the community had heard that the Dion family were expecting company and needed a hand turning their renovation into a home for them.
Friends of Jan and Pat Dion are coming to Nakusp from China just around the time that school starts, so the couple are now hustling to repaint and ready their little carriage house for their arrival. Unfortunately, the travellers from the middle kingdom are able to bring only one suitcase each, and so the task of outfitting their Canadian home lies with the Dion family.
But luckily, there are people in the community who are already ponying up to make the house a home.
“Somebody came this morning and left blankets and sheets,” an amazed and grateful Jan Dion said, pointing out the most recent act of generosity. It’s a great start, said Dion, who would also welcome side tables, carpets, a single mattress, and single sheets. And some time.
One of the biggest needs is to get the little house’s rooms painted so the furniture can be moved in and arranged. The weather is perfect for the job right now, hot and sunny so the windows can be wide open and drying times are short.
Having lived in China themselves, the Dions also recognize the value of pieces of familiarity, so if anyone has some Chinese items that could help the family feel even more at home, it would be appreciated.
“Everything is different,” said Pat about the culture shock that comes with living in another country, particularly one where there is a language barrier.
Even with the pressure to get the painting done and the house together, Pat said people’s stellar generosity has been really helpful.
“We’re doing great,” he said, “people have been great.” If you feel like being great too, you can contact the Dions at 250-265-4748. Both loans and donations would be accepted, said Jan, just let them know when you drop stuff off.