(Melfort Fire & Rescue/Facebook)

By Cam Lee

Community stepping up

Melfort residents stepping up to help family displaced by fire

Dec 23, 2025 | 5:00 PM

There’s no good time to lose your house to fire but having it happen during the Christmas season is especially devastating.

A Melfort family of five was displaced after a fire destroyed their house Saturday afternoon.

However, members of the community have come together to do what they do best – give back.

The Melfort Lions Club has put the call out to the community to lend a hand through donations.

Sheri Meston is a member of the Lions Club and also the general manager of the Melfort Canalta Hotel. Meston heard about the fire and wanted to help, especially since the mother of the family, Ashlynn Rogers, previously worked for her. So Meston contacted fellow Lion and Melfort Trade Alliance Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lorana McComber a call to see how they could ensure the family was helped.

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Meston and McComber reached out to others, made a social media page to help the family, and encouraged donations. The Canalta is now a drop-off spot for items to help Rogers, her husband Brandon March, and their three children under the age of six. The five are living at a parent’s house and it being the Christmas season makes it even more heartbreaking.

Meston told northeastNOW the response has been overwhelming so far, with many people dropping off clothing and household items.

“Right now, what they are needing mostly is groceries,” Meston said. “They need to be able to get through the holidays.”

After Christmas, the family will be looking to find a house to rent, and Meston said they need monetary help for a deposit.

“Cash donations are very much welcome, gift cards from grocery stores, and a lot of prayers,” said Meston. Size five diapers are also needed for the youngest family member.

The Canalta will continue to accept donations as long as they keep coming in, according to Meston.

“I’m hoping to get everything to them before Christmas day, to help them with actual Christmas.”

You can donate directly by email at ashlynnmack@icloud.com, and they also have a fundraiser account set up at RBC Royal Bank in Melfort.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com