Chittenden Comes To The Rescue Again

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(Host) Three months ago, the town of Chittenden organized a relief effort that provided 52-thousand dollars in emergency aid to nearby towns stranded by tropical Storm Irene.

Now, Chittenden is once again coming to the rescue.

As VPR’s Nina Keck reports, this time it’s to help a local family.

(Keck) Heather O’Bara, her fiancé Jake Durprey and their two children spent Christmas morning opening presents at home. The rest of the day they spent with nearby relatives. O’Bara says it was after 9 on Christmas night when they returned home.

(O’Bara) "That’s when we saw all the smoke pouring out the furnace stack. And we knew instantly what was the matter. He tried going right in, tried to get the dogs that we had – but it was too late. It was filled with smoke."

(Keck) Their two beagles were killed and the house was a total loss. The couple had just purchased the trailer home this summer but didn’t have homeowner’s insurance. While no official fire investigation was conducted, the couple says they believe the fire was started by their hot water heater.

Jan Sotirakis, a member of the Chitteden Volunteer Fire Department had organized the towns’ response to tropical Storm Irene. She quickly sent out a town wide plea for help via email and Facebook.

(Sotirakis) "It’s been fantastic. Again as they did in Irene people are coming from everywhere I’ve got this I’ve got that – how about this. I’ve had an offer, the trailer that we want to purchase for them needs resurfacing of cabinets. And someone from Chittenden actually called and said I work at a cabinet place and I’m willing to come take a look and see if we can fix that for them."

(Keck) A local inn has offered a furnished home for the family to live in throughout Janaury and they’ll host a benefit next week. Sotirakis says the Chittenden Volunteer Fire Department has set up a fund to help Heather and Jake purchase a new trailer home as well as insure and furnish it.

(Sotirakas) "We have a lofty goal. I mean we technically may need 25-30 thousand dollars. And whether or not it’s realistic to think we’ll be able to raise that. I don’t know, but we’re not giving up."

(Keck) In the meantime, Heather, Jake and their two young children are living at Heather’s parents’ home. Standing outside, the couple opens the door of a storage trailer that’s been dropped off to hold donations.

(O’Bara) sound of trailer going up – "Unbelievable isn’t it? We have everything. The only thing missing is dining room chairs. Honestly, we have plates, and crockpots silverware and cups, TVs clothes, we have ever4ything that we’ve lots, except for our pups – it’s a miracle – we have everything."

(Durprey)"Yeah, I feel so grateful for this town – I really do. I have to swallow my pride for once. I need help – It’s amazing that everyone cares for us and is willing to pull through for us."

(Keck) Heather O’Bara puts her arm around Jake. Your life can change within minutes she says. This was a Christmas disaster – but she says it’s kind of like a little Christmas miracle too.

For VPR news, I’m Nina Keck in Chittenden.

 

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