GoFundMe page supports family displaced by Hampden fire

Feb. 18, 2016 | Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.com

The Laird Family’s home on Potash Street was destroyed by a massive Feb. 13 fire.
Photo courtesy of the Hampden Fire Department Facebook Page

HAMPDEN – When Rachel Dembek learned of a devastating fire that destroyed her friend Alex Laird’s family home, she immediately knew she had to do something to help.

An afternoon fire that prompted mutual aid response from several communities on Feb. 13 destroyed the Laird family’s house on Potash Hill Lane.

Alex and his father were at work at the family’s Connecticut restaurant, The Wooden Spoon, while his mother and two younger siblings were home, according to Dembek. The fire, which she said was caused by some sort of explosion, spread quickly, but all human occupants and the family dog were able to escape, while their cat was lost.

“Alex is the oldest son and one of my very good friends,” Dembek said. “I was at work when I heard about it and after I called him to see if he was OK, and he said he was, but everything was gone.”

While fortunate to be safe, the Laird family faces the cold reality of the loss of their home.

“I was in tears wondering what I could do to help,” Dembek said.

She said she had been in conversations with people discussing ways to collect clothes and other essentials for the family when someone suggested creating a crowdfunding page.

“Someone said, ‘Someone should set up a GoFundMe,’ and I thought that someone could definitely be me,” she said. “I immediately went home and set it up. It’s the least I can do for a friend.”

As of Feb. 17, the page had raised nearly $6,000 in three days.

“It’s been overwhelmingly great,” Dembek said of the response. “People have been donating, but they have also been spreading the word. It’s been amazing watching everyone rallying together. The whole thing is really overwhelming.”

She also noted teachers and staff in the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District had also been very supportive of the endeavor.

She added that any amount of money would be a blessing.

“I was at Rice’s [Fruit Farm] talking with a friend about it and when we were getting ready to leave, she gave me $20 and said, “I know it’s not much, but I want to help,’ and I was in tears,” Dembek said. “It may not seem like much, but a little bit of money might be able to buy a toy or something that might help make this situation a little easier.”

Currently the campaign is seeking solely financial donations. While the thought of non-monetary contributions is appreciated, as Dembek pointed out, “Right now, they wouldn’t have anywhere to put them.”

There is no time limit on this campaign, she added.

“It’s going to be open and it’s going to go on as long as it can.”

For more information or to donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/ddjnz9kk

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