Christine Wood's family 'overwhelmed' by community fundraiser

Christine Woods family is thanking the community after a fundraiser raised more than $5,000 for her parents and other family to continue searching for the missing young woman.

Event in Thompson, Man., raised thousands to help the parents of missing 21-year-old woman

Erin Brohman CBC News Posted: Sep 17, 2016 12:14 PM EDT | Last Updated: September 17, 2016

Police released this photo of Christine Wood on Saturday. They are asking the public for help in finding the 21-year-old. (Winnipeg Police Service )

The family of a young woman believed missing in Winnipegis thanking the community after a fundraiser drew hundreds andraised more than $5,000 for her parents and other family to continue searchingfor the missing young woman.

ChristineWood, 21, disappeared Aug. 19 while visiting Winnipeg with family from Oxford House First Nation.

"My family would like to thank all the communities for the support both financially and with the prayers; it means a lot," said Melinda Wood, Christine Wood's mother.

She says while there have been reported sightings, none of them have been confirmed, as much asshe wishes that were the case.

"Please continue with prayers in locating her safe 'n sound and to bring her home," she added.

Christine Wood's cousin, whose daughters are the same age as Christine and grew up with her, went to the event on Friday hosted by the Keewatin Tribal Council. Many donated items to the sale and travelled from neighbouring northern communities to be there.

Hundreds stopped by for a hotdog and to express their support for the family of Christine Wood at the event in Thompson, Man. on Friday.

"It was overwhelming but it was great to see the support and seeing people come together to support my aunt and uncle," said Laura Wood-Labossiere, who lives in Thompson.

The fundraiser included a hot dog lunch, bake sale, 50/50 draw and silent auction. All proceeds will go to Wood's parents' living costs while they stay and search in Winnipeg and travel costs for other family members to join them from Oxford House First Nation.

Wood-Labossiere, who works at the University College of the North, said several of her co-workers went to the event to show their support to the family.

The Keewatin Tribal Council hosted the fundraiser on Friday which included a silent auction, hot dog and bake sale and yard sale to raise money for Christine Wood's family.

"There's a lot of people who are praying for them and praying for the safe return of Christine," said Wood-Labossiere.

"Everybody's looking, everybody's worried and everybody loves her. I want her to know that all the family's worried about her and just want her to come home," she said, her voice breaking.

She added Christine Wood is the 'baby' of the family, the youngest of fourand the Woods' only daughter.

"She's a very quiet girl. She's shy and she smiles a lot and she laughs and she's just a quiet girl," she added. "It's not like her to not stay not in contact with her parents and her family," she added, in tears.

It's been nearly a month without anyone in the family hearing from Christine, but she's holding out hope she's alive.

"I have to believe that."

Melinda Wood and George Wood, parents of Christine Wood, want to thank the communities for their financial support and prayers while they search for their daughter in Winnipeg.

Labossiere-Wood also expressed her gratitude to the Bear Clan and Winnipeg Police their work and 'for keeping on top of tips.'

"It means a whole lot. A whole lot to the family,' she said.

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