Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Ross's name was Russ. That mistake has been corrected.

BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County residents for more than a decade, Glenda and Ross Novinger are used to giving, not receiving. That changed when they learned their home was destroyed in a house fire on Dec. 30. 

Active members of the community, Glenda Novinger runs the Bonners Ferry Orchestra and the couple owns the Novinger Music Center in town. She has taught music for more than 50 years. 

“My mother was a music teacher and I always aspired to be just like her,” Glenda Novinger said. “She was a wonderful person. She was always optimistic. I appreciated the example that she left for me and I grew up wanting to be like her.” 

Earlier this year, the Novingers drove nearly 1,000 miles to visit their children and grandchildren for the holiday season. Less than 24 hours after they arrived, a member of the South Boundary Fire Protection District called to tell them their home was on fire. 

“I'm generally emotionally reserved, but it was so unbelievable because we had just left,” Novinger said. “My initial reaction was to ask if it was a prank call. He said, ‘Unfortunately, ma'am, it's not.’” 

“I asked, ‘What part of the house is on fire?’ He said, ‘All of it.’” 

Flames reportedly reached about 50 feet high, and it took roughly 12 hours for firefighters to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. 

What made the fire even more heartbreaking is that the home had not been left completely unattended. 

“We had friends that had looked in on our property already that day and everything seemed fine,” Novinger said. “Everything was fine."

After hearing the news, the couple decided to drive back to Bonners Ferry. 

“We were told, well, there's really no point because there's not anything you can do about it, but we didn't feel right about not coming home,” Novinger said. 

They asked friends to send photos to prepare them for what they would find. 

“We had asked a couple of friends to send us a few pictures so that we could kind of brace ourselves for what we were going to see,” Novinger said. “Only one friend was willing to do that, because they were all heartbroken for us.” 

After staying with friends for three nights, the Novingers found temporary housing in a small studio apartment. 

“The word's gotten out and lots of people have reached out to us and asked what they could do to help,” Novinger said. “Right now, we appreciate all the offers for physical items, but we don't really have a place to put them, so what probably would be most helpful at this point is monetary donations.” 

The couple has a benefit account at Mountain West Bank called the Novinger Rebuilding Fund and their children have also set up a GoFundMe titled “Help Ross & Glenda Rebuild After House Fire.” 

“My husband and I are fiercely independent and so it's very hard,” Novinger said. “We like to give, but it's really hard to receive. We've been overwhelmed already with the kindness and generosity of friends.” 

Looking ahead, Novinger said the future remains uncertain. 

“We don't really know, to be perfectly honest,” she said. “We love our property and we don't want to move, but it's going to be a long process.” 

“It's very devastating to lose all the sentimental things that can't be replaced,” Novinger said. “That's been the hardest part to accept, but at the same time, we believe that no matter how negative life situations can be, God can bring good out of it. We’re not without hope.”