Lancaster, N.Y. (WBEN) - A GoFundMe has launched to help Kayla, a 16-year-old from Lancaster, who lost everything, including her mother and two cats, in a house fire on Monday.
Kelly Reddington, a family friend of Kayla, says he set up the GoFundMe as a way to help get her back on her feet.
"What has transpired in the past few months, first with her grandmother passing tragically from cancer, and now with the house fire where her mom passed away, her pets, every comfort item she has - We all have our favorite pillow, favorite blanket, you know, favorite pajama set, and all of that is now gone, so she doesn't have any memories to go back to. Just hearing that, I wanted to help in any way that I could, and launching a GoFundMe is what we felt we could do," stated Reddington.
As Kayla is currently staying with her Uncle as she continues to navigate this new chapter in her life.
"Recently, a lot of her support system has been stripped from her, yeah, so she's with her uncle right now and just trying to get settled in work through these complex emotions. Naturally, this is a super traumatic event. There's a lot to really unpack there, and we're just trying to get her as much support from the community and family as well," explained Reddington.
Reddington says on top of the GoFundMe, clothing donations are also being accepted.
"We updated the GoFundMe description to include her sizes as well as her preference for things. But you know, so much of our personal identity is tied to our possessions and what we choose to put on our body as far as clothes go. So we're also going to be taking her shopping to get her some new clothes that she can feel a sense of ownership and self identity with. So any donations are welcome and we're just trying to take care of her in all ways that we can," explained Reddington. "You can reach out to me or my sister via the GoFundMe, you can send a message via the platform. That's a key way to communicate with us, as well as Lancaster High School Counseling Center. You can drop off clothes for her there."
Find out more about the GoFundMe here.