Victims of Dekalb Avenue Fire

Hi Friends and Neighbors,

As many of you know my name is Abby, and I'm a compassionate soul. Tonight I watched as the homes of my neighbors in Bushwick, Brooklyn burned to the ground in a 6-alarm fire that engulfed the building attached to mine, and four others. I watched as my elderly, poor neighbor with acute asthma hyperventilated and held her head, crying out, unable to catch a breath as her home burned mere feet away. I watched her husband shaking in the street, wearing only gym shorts, a flimsy sweatshirt and sandals in the 39 degree chill. I watched as over 200 FDNY firefighters responded to the four hour blaze; high winds whipping flames from building to building; water from dozens of firetrucks initially making little impact; smoke and ash shooting into the air in a violent rage, hard to imagine without experiencing firsthand. 

I would like to raise money to help my neighbors, specifically Hermando and his 90+ year old parents, who have lived in Bushwick since emigrating from Puerto Rico, have few financial resources, and now no home. 

Please give what you can to help those who are certainly harder off than any of us. We have computers, and are, I presume, reading this from the comfort of our warm homes or workspaces. If you are unable to make a donation, please share this page. 

My heart broke tonight for Hermando and his family. They are kind, warm, but unfortunately hard off people, and it makes me cry to imagine what tonight will mean for their future. 

Your donations will mean so much to me, and will truly change lives.

Thank you, peace and love,
Abby