WEST SPRINGFIELD – In the wake of a July 20 structural fire on Elm Street in West Springfield, the community has come together to help the families displaced by the fire. Tenants from a total of six apartments were affected.

The American Red Cross of Massachusetts has helped provide for the immediate needs of 16 individuals from different families who were displaced by the fire, including helping them find shelter in a hotel or with family and with financial assistance for food and clothing, said Disaster Program Manager Mary Nathan.

Originally, one displaced family was known to have children in the West Springfield Public Schools (WSPS), one was at John Ashley Kindergarten this past year and the other at Cowing Early Childhood. Kathleen Bailer, principal of both schools, asked her staff for donations to help the families. The WSPS Superintendent Michael J. Richard extended the requests to the entire school district and then, Mayor Will Reichelt posted a call for help on his Facebook page.

“They have lost everything. They need clothes, toiletries, food, etc., In support, we have started a donation drive for the family,” Reichelt wrote. “If you are interested in participating, gift cards to stores such as Walmart, Price Rite, Savers, Rite Aid, Stop & Shop, Big Y, or any local restaurant would be greatly appreciated.” He added the children’s clothing sizes are 10 and 3T-4T and their shoe sizes are 1 to 2 and 11 to 12.

All donations from that drive have been directed to the School Department’s Central Office at 26 Central St. since neither John Ashley nor Cowing was open at that time.

“We’ve done quite a lot,” said Bailer. People have mainly donated clothes and gift cards for Walmart and Carter's, which is what was requested. “Our PTO also donated $500 in gift cards,” Bailer said.

Acting Assistant Superintendent of Schools Kevin McQuillian said that while he was unsure of the amount of donations collected, he did know that most of the clothing and the majority of the gift cards had been distributed.

McQuillan told Reminder Publishing that the school department looked into the situation further and found that another displaced family had one child at Coburn Elementary School and another at West Springfield High School.

“We are working with the district and with our high school teaching staff community looking to provide support for the family. We want to help them but also give them their privacy,” said West Springfield High School Principal Dr. Vito Perrone. 

A donation drive for those students has been started. Donations can be sent directly to Coburn because the building is open for summer programs. For more information on that donation drive, call Coburn Principal Gina Martin-Ryan at 263-3318.

Neighbors and friends have also donated to families without school children who were displaced. A gofundme.com page was set up for John Cyr, whose apartment unit caught on fire.

“His granddaughter and two daughters were living with him, and while thank God no one was home, the apartment is a total loss. Not one item was salvageable,” stated Mark Abelin, who created the page. “I’m trying to raise money to get them some basic necessities like clothing and baby supplies, things like that. All they have left is the clothes they were wearing.”

The goal is $5,000. The donation page can be found at www.gofundme.com/cyr-family-fire.