see all cities »

Press Releases

Single Dad in Need Finds Help from a Christmas Good Samaritan on UsedVictoria.com

An online cry for help from a B.C. man whose family faced eviction has resulted in an outpouring of community support. UsedVictoria.com and its UsedEverwhere.com sites across the country have become a vehicle not just to sell used goods but also to connect those in need with those who can help. The site has established Angel Programs to make this type of success story a reality in many Canadian cities.

VICTORIA, British Columbia – December 20, 2010 – Used.ca, the effective, free, Canadian online marketplace for the sale of used goods, was thrilled to witness a touching Holiday story that is continuing to unfold. It started when Saanich B.C.’s Dan Byron was not able to cover his December rent or hydro bill so he and his two young children faced eviction. After trying several other avenues, he turned to UsedVictoria.com (http://www.UsedVictoria.com). He placed an ad, titled ‘Desperate Daddy’, and asked for any support or ideas to help him stay in his apartment over Christmas.

Victoria’s Dan Peirce saw the ad and immediately moved into action. Peirce contacted Byron and did a background check with the landlord and B.C. Hydro to confirm that he indeed was facing eviction and that his power would be cut off. Peirce rallied support from co-workers and friends and in one week raised $750 to cover all immediate concerns. Peirce paid the bills directly so that all funds raised went to cover the designated expenses.

“When I saw the ad online I knew I had the means and the contacts to help,” said Peirce. “At the same time, it was very important that this was above board, so I did my own interview process with Dan and his debtors to confirm everything was legit. Now that his family’s immediate needs are handled my top priority is to help him secure a job so he can help himself starting in January.”

Byron has since landed part time work 3 days a week and he has received several job leads thanks to his original UsedVictoria.com (http://www.UsedVictoria.com) ad posting and the exposure received from the Good Samaritan story of Dan Peirce.

“For a stranger to step up like this and offer their support is inspiring to me,” said Byron. “He’s a modern day Good Samaritan and now he’s helping me in my search for full-time work which will allow me to provide for my kids in 2011.”

“We at UsedVictoria.com are thrilled that people like Dan Peirce are utilizing our site to help those in need,” said Luticia (Tish) Hill, General Manager of UsedVictoria.com. “Dan has been doing this for some time and we want to help him and others continue their generosity in their communities by creating an online platform where we can facilitate this year-round.”

Used.ca has been working with “Community Angels” for months across the country (most recently withhttp://www.UsedWininpeg.com, and http://www.UsedOttawa.com). After talking to Peirce about how he uses the site to help others, Usedeverywhere.com is making adjustments to its sites to facilitate more inspiring initiatives like his.

“We encourage Used.ca users to step forward and let us know how they use our sites to help those in need in their communities. We’ll share their ideas and help them become Community Angels,” added Hill.

For more information, visit http://www.UsedVictoria.com and http://www.Used.ca.

First news clip from A Channel: Single Dad Facing Eviction ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlDSnybyD4Q )

Second news clip from A Channel: Holiday Help for Single Dad ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjhmmiNwllU )