Fire Destroys a Local Family Home

My name is Rheannon DiMartino and the purpose of this go-fund me is seek help from friends, family, anyone who can relate to loss. My sister in-law and her family suffered a serious house fire that resulted in devastating, possibly total destruction. Fortunately, because of a hero dog named Willow, and the glorious grace of God, no lives were lost. That being said, the toll that this fire cost a wonderful family is beyond comprehension. My sister in law Jillian is a special education teacher in Troy. She gives every bit of herself to her family and the children she teaches. She loves her students entirely and genuinely, I assure you she is a teacher you would want for any child that you love. Her mother, affectionately known to loved ones as MJ, is a nurse at Albany Medical Center. She treats patients with cancer and sometimes sits with terminal patients for hours beyond her work requirements because she is the only face that they’ll see that day. After almost 20 years of knowing her, I only recently realized this because she is so humble and so righteous that she doesn’t even want praise, let alone seek it. To her, love and dedication are second nature, not a job. I assure you, she is a nurse you would want for any person that you love. Ray, her dad works in a local store. He goes in early, stays late, and goes above and beyond simply because he takes pride in his work. He instilled those traits into his family, and his best work by far is the work he dedicated to his family. By all accounts (or at least mine) he is the best and silliest husband, father, grandfather and friend that anyone could ask for. I assure you, he is a guy you would want to be around if someone you love ever needed assistance of any kind. My beautiful nephew is a bright, funny, kind, hysterical little boy. He loves his family, his animals, his friends and his toys so much. I assure you, he is like any child that you love. This family lost all of their belongings in this fire, decades of irreplaceable family mementos and valuable antiques. These items can’t be reconciled or replaced but items as simple as clothing, toothpaste, furniture and food can. Their animals, including the hero Willow who saved her animal brothers and sisters, as well as her neighbor’s houses, are suffering medically from extensive smoke inhalation minimally, and could suffer from additional

complications related to the fire. This family, who gives so much of themselves to their community, genuinely need and deserve the help; especially this close to the holiday season. I truly appreciate any donation. I know that this time of year can be a struggle for people, but anything helps. Please find it in your heart to donate to this go-fund me page, it would mean the world to me and my family. Thank you.