PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — In the week since the devastating fire on Kayford Circle in Morrell Park that injured five people on Jan. 24, neighbors have rallied around the families whose homes were affected.
AnnaMarie DelCalsale has lived in the neighborhood for years, and her father was a Philadelphia firefighter. After the fire happened, she immediately started to put a list of needed items together.
"I have used the site Lotsa Helping Hands for other things, and I quickly put a list together and I posted it on the Morrell Park Facebook page,” said DelCalsale. She said the leader of the Morrell Park Town Watch quickly reached out and said he could collect donations.
“Quick collaboration, and that is how it began and it bloomed. The neighborhood all wanted to help,” she added.
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“In today's world, we hear so much negativity. You kind of get insulated. I think it was not only helpful to the families, but I think it was helpful to the community to realize how strong the community is in support of one another."
DelCalsale said that numerous GoFundMe pages have been created to help those affected by the fire. Those families need the funds, she says, because insurance will not cover the loss of many of the items.
GoFundMe pages: Kayford Circle fire | House fire victims of Morrell
“Making certain that these families are whole as they transition to the recovery process is key,” she said.
The LotsaHelpingHands site for Morrell Park relief also lists specific needs.
“One of the families has a child in a Catholic high school, so they need school uniforms, book bags, notebooks, etc.”
All non-monetary donations can be dropped off at 100 Beecher Avenue in Philadelphia.