Fundraisers have been organized on a crowdfunding platform to help two North Huntingdon families who were victims of fires this month — one family who lost their home and another whose dog kennel was destroyed.
A GoFundMe page for Regina and Charles Bazala Sr. has raised $22,100 of a $28,000 goal as of Friday morning.
The Bazalas escaped injury when the fire destroyed their home on Main Street in the Hahntown section of the township on Tuesday morning, but were unable to save any of their possessions, according to a nephew, Jason Bazala, who organized the fundraiser through the social media platform.
“In a matter of minutes, they lost everything — clothes, personal belongings, important documents, and all the everyday items that make a house a home. They literally only made it out with the clothes they were wearing,” Jason Bazala wrote on the fundraising page.
Bazala said that the elderly couple is starting from scratch because even simple things like wallets, identification, cellphones and basic necessities were lost in the fire. The American Red Cross is assisting the family.
This fundraiser is to help them cover immediate needs and bridge the gap while insurance and other assistance are sorted out. The donations will be used for temporary living expenses, clothing, food, replacing essential items and helping them begin to rebuild their lives, Bazala wrote.
Bazala could not be reached for comment on Friday.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation by North Huntingdon Police Sgt. Nick Dreistadt.
Business recovery effort
A GoFundMe initiative has raised about $18,530 of a $26,000 goal to help Bowser’s Dog Services — a kennel and dog training service — rebuild the business that was destroyed by a fire on Baker School Road Jan. 7.
Nathan and Jodi Bowser, who own the kennel on their property, could not be reached for comment Friday.
The Bowsers lost two of their dogs in the fire and four other dogs in the kennel also were killed.
The Whiskey Acres Animal Rescue and Sanctuary of Homer City is organizing the fundraisers. Mindy Maryai, founder of Whiskey Acres, could not be reached for comment.
Any money raised in excess of the goal would be returned to the donors or given to a charity of their choice, Whiskey Acres stated on the fundraiser page.
