Youngsville continues to support fire victims
Youngsville continues to support fire victims
Sarah Monticue organized a yoga fundraiser for the family of the tragic fire that occurred in August. Pictured with Monticue are Trista O'Harah's mother, April Wilson, and sisters Reagan Wilson and Ava Wilson.
The Youngsville community came together for the family during a vigil the evening before the funerals, with a Celebration of Life Ceremony also held at the Youngsville Fire Department. Urns were placed on the firetruck and sirens were blown in honor of the children.
Sarah Monticue organized a yoga fundraiser for the family of the tragic fire that occurred in August. Pictured with Monticue are Trista O'Harah's mother, April Wilson, and sisters Reagan Wilson and Ava Wilson.
The Youngsville community came together for the family during a vigil the evening before the funerals, with a Celebration of Life Ceremony also held at the Youngsville Fire Department. Urns were placed on the firetruck and sirens were blown in honor of the children.
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A family who lost two children in a fire in August in Youngsville is being supported by the community.
Recently, a community fundraiser was held to support the family. An organized group of nearly 20 attendees raised more than $500 during a yoga session last week at Island Park in Youngsville. Family members of Trista OHarah joined as well as children. Sarah Monticue, organizer and yoga instructor, mentioned there were still more people who wanted to donate but could not attend the event.
"Some people also brought baked goods for the family," Monticue said. "It was nice to see people being so thoughtful in supporting this family."
Having gone through a house fire herself, Monticue, as a symbolic gesture of remembrance and hope, presented the family with two marigold arrangements honoring the two children lost in the tragedy, Cohen and Hadley. The flowers included seeds intended for future planting, representing the idea that beauty and hope can emerge even after significant loss.
"The event fostered community connection through the shared experience of enjoying yoga in nature at the Island Park in Youngsville," Monticue said.
She said that there are seeds from the plant for next year because even though the flowers die, they produce seeds that can then create more beauty in the future.
"Nature reminds us of these truths that hope can still somehow emerge in the midst of loss, even when you can't see it, and even when it feels impossible," continued Monticue. "It really was such a beautiful night to be outside. The weather was perfect. The sky and the clouds were beautiful the whole time. It was good to be out in nature with the community."
April Wilson, grandmother, said immediately after the fire, their family was overwhelmed with the community's response in showing they care. She said it was a "good overwhelm," with the days that followed with the outpouring in several ways and from people across the county.
The GoFundMe is reopened and altogether over $24,000 has been raised, with less than $4,000 to be raised to achieve their goal.
The two-week-old baby who survived the fire was transferred immediately to Children’s of Pittsburgh to the ICU for severe smoke inhalation and an ultrasound found a potential brain bleed. The baby has been weaned off of oxygen and a second MRI showed no sign of a brain bleed. She was discharged on Wednesday, Aug. 19, to come home. Support from the community has come in various ways -- from local business donations such as Huey's Place to donation jars around the county. Additionally, a Pampered Chef business consultant donated her party earrings to the family.
Collecting scrap to earn a little extra spending money is something Ted Carrington frequently does. When the accident occurred, Carrington shared, "I just asked God what I could do to help. Someone else needed the funds far more than I."
Carrington began collecting metal from community members in order to raise funds for the family as well. A dumpster to collect materials is located at 34 East Harmar St., Warren, and will remain open until the end of September.
All metals, microwaves, a/c units, batteries, washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, lawn mowers, and weed whackers can be discarded. No TVs, chemicals or garbage are being accepted. It is asked that batteries be left outside the dumpster on the pallets. Carrington is thankful for the support from the community especially with their cooperation in following instructions and keeping trash out of the dumpster.
The three filled dumpsters have cost nearly $300 each with pickup, delivery and fuel costs. Fox and Sons Excavating donated toward those costs. For more information on donating metal items or on how to help cover fuel costs associated with the pickup and delivery of dumpsters, contact Carrington at 814-688-6637.
Wilson expressed thanks to the local people for everything they have done, including a specific thank you to the local fire department.
"Thank you Youngsville Fire Department for doing this for my grandbabies. This is a moment I will treasure forever."
A Celebration of Life ceremony was held for Cohen and Hadley at the Youngsville Fire Department, with sirens blown in tribute to their lives and urns placed on the fire truck along with a photo.
The love continues to pour in as even strangers from other states have also assisted with gift cards and some have made and sent personalized items to remember the children, including park benches with engravings.
"We have been so loved by this community. I can't even begin to tell you all how grateful we are for your generosity," said Wilson.
For more ways to assist this family to ease some of the burdens caused by the tragedy, the GoFundMe is set up "Honoring Cohen and Hadley's Memory" at https://gofund.me/35702d9e7.