Ghost of Midnight

Winooski neighbors rally to aid of fire-victim family

Vermonters have always helped neighbors whose homes burn.  And with Front Porch Forum at their disposal, this response can easily increase 10 or 100 fold.

Here’s an example from this week in Winooski from the Burlington Free Press…

The Winooski School District has raised over $4,000 so far as part of a fundraiser for the victims of an apartment fire that displaced 21 city residents last Thursday night, Superintendant Sean McMannon said.  Six students were directly affected and displaced by the Malletts Bay Avenue blaze while two other students had family members who were affected, McMannon said.  The Winooski district offices are collecting cash and check donations only, according to McMannon…

McMannon said Wednesday that the fundraiser had begun the day after the fire, and the district has mainly gotten word out through its website, a post on the Front Porch Forum website, and through emails within the school…

Since Thanksgiving, 21 families and 60 people have been displaced from their homes because of fires, according to a newsrelease issued by the Vermont and the New Hampshire Upper Valley Region Red Cross Wednesday. The Red Cross, who assisted in relief efforts for the victims Thursday, said fire is “the disaster most likely to befall someone in our region.”

[C]ity manager Katherine “Deac” Decarreau said Winooski citizens have been “extraordinarily generous.”  “The generosity is overwhelming, and from all areas from the community,” Decarreau said. “It’s really heartwarming.”

Donations to victims of the Malletts Bay Avenue apartment fire can be sent to JFK, Main Lobby, Middle School-High School or District or mailing to WSD, 60 Normand Street, Winooski, VT 05404. Checks can be made out to: WSD-MBA Fire Support.