After the fire: neighbors helping neighbors

On the cold morning of January 4th a fire ravaged an apartment building here in East Allegheny (aka Deutschtown). The fire gutted the building, leaving 21 of our neighbors homeless, including 11 children. It followed on the heals of another fire on New Years Eve in an adjoining neighborhood.  It was a bad start to a new year for many here.

Deutschtown Fire Relief Fund

Several neighborhood groups have organized fund raising efforts for the victims, including East Allegheny Community Council. This organization’s fund raising effort is 5-fold:

• a website for PayPal contributions
• email blasts from individuals into the community
• donation boxes at 6 local businesses
• stories in the local papers and newsletters
• announcements at community meetings

Local business donation sites include:  Bistro To Go, Amani International Coffee House, Sweettime Cafe, Legends of the Northshore, Priory Fine Pastries and Max’s Allegheny Tavern.

Please Contribute

Visit the website and help these families with your donation. If donating at one of the local Deutschtown businesses, please make checks payable to “EACC” and note the “Fire Relief Fund.”  All proceeds go directly to the victims.  For more information 412-321-1204.

Western Avenue Fire Relief Fund

Also visit the Northside Leadership Conference website for information about and donation opportunities for the New Years Eve fire in Allegheny West.  It ravaged the floral business of Kerry Kennedy, a beloved local business owner who many neighbors immediately and generously pitched in to help.   Please continue to patronize his fine and friendly business at a new location just up the street from the original one.  (Read more about Kerry, his business and his experience at The Pittsburgh Women’s Blogging Society.)