The ever-evolving COVID-19 crisis has heightened the anxiety of many, leaving many in our community without jobs and without a solid stream of income.
Local DJ, Jackie Kozak, (also known as DJ Jacster), is one of those severely impacted by the recent mandate from the province that forced all restaurants and bars to shut down.
As a DJ, this is how single mom Kozak makes her living, playing music for patrons at local bars and restaurants. Her most recent gig, Bradford Idol, held every Thursday night at the Village Inn, was just postponed until further notice.
After a restless night, trying to figure out how she was going to pay her bills and provide for her four-year-old daughter Jocelyn, she vented her frustrations in a post on her personal Facebook page at 5 a.m. Tuesday morning.
When local community members saw her message, they felt compelled to help.
“Yesterday was insane, my doorbell kept ringing and people dropped off more food than I could store,” she shared.
“I was going to go to the food bank today but now we don’t have to.”
Kozak was given plenty of fruit, vegetables, juice, and meats along with essential household items like toilet paper, tissues, and cleaning supplies.
The Bradford Skin Clinic’s Mia Liefso was the first person to come over with food and some cash.
Bradford real estate agent Louise Batista also dropped off a large haul of groceries.
Local photographer Paul Novosad came by later in the day with some homemade soup, noodles and buns.
“I saw she needed help and had already made a huge pot of soup to avoid going to the grocers. I was in a position to share,” said Novosad, who also takes home-cooked meals to his mother, who is elderly and lives alone.
Bradford Lions Club member Jim Slykhuis and his family also sent money to Kozak and her daughter, along with mortgage agent Debbie Viveiros and local mother, Rosi Martin. And a lump sum donation from the Bradford Wellness Centre.
"Jackie Kozak is a single mom and small business owner in our community and is always helping others through charity events and through SWAN (Successful Women Always Networking)," said Viveiros.
"I felt it was necessary to help the people who work hard to improve our community and to give back. I am committed to helping single moms in our community whether that is through home ownership, financial counselling or by jumping in to help when help is needed. I love our small town and want us to take care of one another in difficult times."
Kozak said she was in a “bad state” as she and her daughter were sick and did not stock up amidst all the panic-buying last week. She says she doesn’t have much support financially from family and yesterday’s actions from the community brought her to tears.
“I was just blown away,” she said.
“We are going to be okay now until the end of April for food and bills, which gives me time to figure out our next step with regards to my business and this COVID-19 crisis.”
Today, Kozak and her daughter are spending the day making thank-you cards for all the people who helped them during this difficult time.
