A tragedy happened today *pic of fire*...but I just got the most incredible phone call. There truly are generous, selfless people out there!!!!!!!
Early this afternoon I learned that a friend's home had been devastated by a fire. Most importantly, the family was SAFE. Thank God for that. B was home when the smoke alarm went off and she called 911 immediately. But despite a quick response by several fire departments the house is nothing but a charred skeleton. Everything in it was destroyed and one of their pets is unaccounted for. Their car was in the driveway and was destroyed. On top of this, their 10-yr-old daughter broke her leg last week. Her entire life is dance (her mom owns the studio where DD dances) so her injury was so crushing to her. And now this....
Several members of our studio posted on FB asking for clothing donations since the family literally has the clothes on their back and nothing else. A friend of mine saw some of the posts. I have known him for years but we only see each other a few times per year. He just called me to say that he has arranged a benefit for the family! He is a DJ at a local pub and all cover fees and a percentage of ALL revenue that night will go to B! He also asked for a list of items they need and is already in the process of getting donations of clothes, food, toiletries, etc. He has NEVER met or spoken to B or her family. He is an angel! I cried when he called to tell me what he had planned.
It is amazing how people band together to help complete strangers! What a beautiful outpouring of love for this family!
I know that the donations and support will lift B and family up, but losing everything still takes a huge emotional toll. Fortunately they have insurance to rebuild and replace belongings, but pictures and sentimental items cannot be replaced :(
Please pray for them as they go through this process. And look around at a family photo, a child's painting, a trophy, and thank God for EVERY little blessing in your life.
Quoting pampire:Here's hoping the pet shows up too!
A similar thing happened to dh and his family a few years back. They were all out of the house--dh and his sister on their way home from school, their brother still in school, their other sister at work, and their mom had just left to get something at the store really quickly. We think one of their cats knocked over a candle (we know it was from a candle in the kitchen). One of their cats died in the fire, their dog was in the backyard, and the cat that we think was the culprite was found safely in the basement.
Our old hs (bil's hs at the time) is a catholic school that is constantly raising money for one thing or another. They did a jeans day at school, saying students who bring $5 can wear jeans for a day. Students were bringing in $20+ even if they didn't actually know the family. The school raised thousands of dollars and took it to my mil at work. Also, my bil was on a rugby team and the coach got the rugby community to donate another thousand+ dollar donation. People were coming out of the woodwork to do whatever they could to help. I guess that is one of the good things that comes out of these types of tragedies--it brings communities together and brings out the best in people
Here in our little area we had a very large fire that took about 30 homes. Our local community raised around 120 thousand (it's a huge thing when you know how small our community is) All of us pitched in to feed the huge number of people that had been evacuated, and help store the items they were able to move out before the evacuation. Another outfit had put up a challenge target of $75,000 and the challenge to match that was on. In the end we gave enough to not only match that but beat it by a huge margin! All bickerings are put aside when tragedy hits. That was the 2011 Monestary Fire in Washington. We over came that as I hope this family over comes their loss
AMEN Praise Jesus!! I found the same kindness when my house burnt both times. I never knew any of the people who helped us, But I will say when you are at rock bottom.. the kindness of strangers will lift you.. my prayers are with the family.. what city and state are they in if you dont mind me asking
A mom that I did not know in a playgroup that I was a member of, had posted that her husband's co workers home burned down just after Christmas this year. They had a 1 year old girl and 2 boys ages 3 and 6. A lot of family donated items for the family. I went through my storage unit and filled up a huge 20 FT trailer with items for the family. They were shocked to see so much stuff for the family in need. The friend spent a couple of days driving around all over the place getting donations for the family and filling up the trailer twice (including my stuff). The dad had 3rd degree burns on one hand and arm but other then that, everyone else was unharmed and made it out safe. They are staying with the grandparents who lived across the street until they can get situated again. They are putting all of the donations in storage until they get their own place.
This is truly amazing. We do not know these people either but thank god they are all ok. I have seen a posting on Facebook from a dance competition company asking for anybody that has dance pictures, video's ect.. of this little girl if they could please send copies to them so they can replace some of her memories. What a awsome thing for people to do.
I just saw two tornados!!!
Am I overreacting or? Eta and small update
- Kylie819
on Apr. 11, 2012 at 11:17 PM