Four simple ways to help displaced families… [Page updated 11/26/2014]
Please help change the name of this page to the “Fire Survivor Page!”
This page hopefully will serve as a resource for the displaced families, as well as those wanting to help. It is a ‘work in progress’ which will be updated and improved upon.
Currently, the families are in dire need of ongoing basic emergency shelter until alternative housing can be arranged. We are at a stage where the most pressing need is emergency funding. But this page will also hopefully provide other ways for those unable to provide relief money at this time. These families need all sorts of help.
As you will learn, this worthy cause will offer the opportunity to give in many different and valuable ways.
Here are 4 simple ways to help out right now:
1. If able, you may contact the Comfort Inn (508-771-4804) and contribute an extra night stay for the families currently in emergency shelter there. By literally buying more time, housing providers will have more time to organize and come up with more desirable longer term solutions for these young families.
2. If able, you may directly contribute emergency relief funds to a family by linking to one of their “Go Fund Me” pages. (Links to these direct funding pages are listed below…)
3. You may contributed physical relief items to one of the “Drop Sites” listed on this page. Even though families are mostly in need of emergency funds at this point, there will be a time when they can pickup and store much needed donated physical items. (Drop Site information will be continually added and updated as those resources present themselves.)
4. And finally, please help spread the word! Help share links to this page on your facebook, twitter, and other forms of social media. The more people who know, the better… Also, please share links to the families’ Go Fund Me pages…
FAMILY PROFILES:
Note: HN will be providing additional information, photos, and updates related to each family’s situation…
Kaviena Washington
Family: Kaviena’s family includes her 4-week-old daughter, one-year-old daughter, fiance, mother, and 15-year-old brother.
Current Status: 11/26/14 – Better news… Kaviena informs HN that her and her family just moved into a new home in Hyannis… standby for more updates…
Click here to read the latest article about Kaviena and her situation.
The following interview was broadcast just days after the fire… [Press play]
CLICK HERE to visit Kaviena’s Go Fund Me page.
Please reach out and help by calling Kaviena, or her mother Latonia, directly at 774-368-2300.
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Janet Foster
Janet’s second floor apartment was completely destroyed by the flames. Janet’s family lost absolutely everything to the fire.
Family: Janet has 4 children; a 5-year-old daughter, an 8-year-old son, a 13-year-old daughter, and 14-year-old daughter…
Current Status: Emergency shelter at the Comfort Inn in Hyannis. GOOD NEWS: Thanks to donations from the Needy Fund, and Saint Francis Xavier Church, and others, Janet’s family is paid up to stay at the Comfort Inn until next Tuesday morning!
Janet is currently working on developing a Go Fund Me page…
Please reach out and help Janet directly by contacting at her email, jkrfoster2000@yahoo.com …
[Details about Janet’s situation will be updated as this page develops.]
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Amanda Souza
All of Amanda’s belongings were completely consumed by the fire. Despite losing everything, she has already taken steps to move on with her life. She hopes to rise from the ashes and make things even better for her son.
Family: Amanda and her 7-year-old son.
Current Status: Amanda currently has temporary housing which is suitable for only a short period of time. She also has friends and relatives that are chipping in and helping out. She told HN that she does NOT need emergency at this time and that her basic needs have been met for the time being. But she does have one basic need she hopes HN readers can help her with…
Need: Amanda has a current housing voucher and she needs help finding a home. She is hopeful someone will accept her voucher soon so she can get settled and so her son’s life can get back on track with as few disruptions as possible.
Please reach out to Amanda at her email address, a.juniorclark@gmail.com …
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Nyla Dunning
Nyla and her family lost mostly everything to heavy smoke damage.
Family: Nyla is the mother of 3 boys; a one-year-old, a six-year-old, and a eight-year-old…
Current Status: Nyla and her family are currently moving into another apartment.
UPDATE: Nyla called HN this morning overcome with gratefulness for recent donations and support. She was especially grateful for Ron & Lisa, a couple who came forward and provided her with a new bed, microwave, toaster, spoons, forks, knives, and flat screen TV set! Nyla fought back tears as she explained how generosity has changed her family’s ordeal from one of depression to one of hope. Nyla and her boys have never had a flat screen TV and the generous gift really lifted their spirits…
Needs: Nyla still needs blankets and towels… she also mentioned needing a little bit of money so she can wash the clothing she was able to recently salvage from her damaged apartment. She estimated she could use about $200 for laundry and other incidentals… HN suggested she ask for $200 to $400 on a Go Fund Me page. But Nyla needs help setting up a Go Fund Me account… if anyone could help, please contact her directly at 857-210-9827…
Please reach out and help Nyla by calling her directly at 857-210-9827 …
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Sarah Dean
Sarah lost her home and nearly everything she owns to the fire.
Family: Sarah is the mother of 2 children; a one-year-old baby, and a 4-year-old child…
Current Status: Sarah and her family are currently traveling off-Cape to temporarily stay with relatives…
[Details about Janet’s situation will be updated as this page develops.]
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Alyssa Lee Balon
Alyssa’s family lost everything in the fire. All her family’s worldly possessions where reduced to ashes… Alyssa is 19-years-old and needs help with ongoing emergency housing… she also needs help with transportation around town…
Family: Mom, dad, and a 3-year-old daughter…
Current Status: According to a text message, Allyssa reports her and her daughter are currently staying at the Hyannis Travel Inn until Thanksgiving… She will need emergency basic shelter starting Thanksgiving evening…
CLICK HERE to visit Alyssa’s Go Fund Me page.
You may also reach out and contact Alyssa directly at 508-360-2633.
[Details about Alyssa’s situation will be updated as this page develops.]
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DROP SITES:
1. Suited for Work – Jennifer Long has come forward and has set up a drop off/ storage location for clothing, diapers, and other supplies. Donated items can be dropped off at the store location “Suited for Work” at 64 Enterprise Road, Hyannis. Drop off hours will be Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30am through 5pm. Store phone: 508-775-3373… or you may contact Jennifer Long directly at 508-360-2032…
NOTE: Displaced families in need should contact Jennifer at her email ONLY… listing their very specific, detailed, and immediate needs. A pickup location and time will be arranged when the supplies are in. Jennifer’s Email: rnutrition2013@gmail.com
[This section is developing]
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OTHER RELIEF SERVICES: [Developing]
Link: Cape Cod Times Needy Fund
Cape Cod Times Needy Fund
P.O. Box 804
Hyannis, MA 02601
Phone lines are open on weekdays.
P: 508-778-5661
P: 1-800-422-1446
E: info@needyfund.org
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OTHER RELIEF NOTES:
1. If you are one of the displaced families (I’m told there are about 10…), please contact Hyannis News to be added to this page… Email: rjbastille@yahoo.com
2. If you are a Drop Site or relief service, please contact Hyannis News to add contact info and links to your cause… Email: rjbastille@yahoo.com
Thank you very much.
11/20/2014
Robert Bastille,
P.S. – This HyTown Vignette is brought to you by … [Richie Havens]
