Dawn fire leaves 9 family members homeless in Beekman
At 5 a.m. on April 23, 2009, Mary Lou and Edward Anderson were woken by their 19-year-old daughter, who smelled smoke. Edward got up to investigate.
“I heard him screaming, ‘Get out of the house! Get out of the house! Call 9-1-1!’” said Mary Lou. Their Beekman home was on fire.
Mary Lou made the call and ran out, as did the couple’s two daughters plus Edward’s brother, his wife and their daughter, who also lived there. Edward’s parents, who resided at the house as well, were away. The fire department arrived quickly. The family watched in horror as their home burned to the ground, leaving them with nothing but their three dogs (their three cats perished in the fire) and the clothes they’d worn to bed. They were devastated.
Family grateful for United Way help
A call to the American Red Cross brought volunteers to the scene. After seeing that everyone was out of the house and safe, they tended to the nine-person family’s basic needs, getting them food, replacing prescriptions, giving them money for clothes and other essentials and securing a temporary home for them at the Residence Inn in Fishkill, which accepted the family’s three dogs. A friend then helped the family find a rental house where they are living during the construction of their new home in Beekman.
“They really went above and beyond,” said Mary Lou of the American Red Cross volunteers. “I just can’t say enough. They were great.”
Mary Lou also was grateful to United Way of Dutchess County, who supports the American Red Cross with funds collected from donors.
Greg Becker, Director of the American Red Cross of Dutchess County’s emergency services group, said money received from United Way directly serves victims of disaster.
“They need food, they need clothing, they need shelter,” said Becker. “The money that comes from United Way…is part of what goes to provide people with a place to sleep, clothes to put on their back, food to eat for a couple of days as a bridge until other community and other resources can be brought to bear.”
In the fiscal year 2008-2009, nearly 100 families in Dutchess County received assistance from the Red Cross, in part, through money granted by United Way.
“Every family that calls receives assistance with United Way money,” Becker said.
