I’m very pleased to announce the winner of my first annual Giving is Awesome contest!  This nomination from Linda’s friend Sharon really touched my heart.

Linda was my boss at my former employer.  She was an awesome boss and became a great friend to me.  One night in September she returned home late from work and could smell smoke.  Her husband had been out earlier barbecuing and she went out to double check that the BBQ had been turned off (it had been).  A while later, she and her husband were watching TV in the basement and could hear a crackling sound.  They looked out the small basement window and could see glowing yellow and orange flames.  They raced upstairs and the whole back of their house was on fire.  They rushed out the door without even shoes on their feet.

Neighbours called 911, the fire department responded and within 30 minutes it was all over.  Every single thing in their house was ruined – either by fire or by water damage.  Nothing in the house was salvageable; including their memories of life lived out in precious photographs.

Thankfully, insurance will cover the contents of their home, and the rebuild of their house.  However, you cannot put a price on photographs that can never be replicated.  I would love to give Linda and her family the opportunity to begin to rebuild their memories by participating in this contest.

I will also love helping this family rebuild their memories through my photography. Linda and her family will receive a 16×20 print and a high resolution CD of their session, free of charge. I can’t wait to meet them!