ABOUT TOWN: How to Help Stoughton’s Fire Victims (And More…)

WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR STOUGHTON'S FIRE VICTIMS: While the adjusters are assessing the losses, Andrea Cooper and her family, the victims of , are in immediate need of clothing and toiletries for daily living. 

Rabbi Jonathan Hausman of Ahavath Torah Congregation is hoping the community will donate to the three generations of the Cooper family living in the Winfisky Drive house that was .

There will be a collection at the Temple office on Central Street in Stoughton.

Donations may either be in cash or gift certificates for clothing stores (Old Navy, The Gap, LL Bean, Kohl's, Macy's, Walmart, Target), drug stores (Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreen), as well as other local vendors. 

If you would like to donate today, please e-mail Rabbi Hausman (RabbiJHaus@aol.com).

Says Hausman, "A community is defined by its reaction in such circumstances." 

Those who would like to send checks or gift certificates can mail them to: , 1179 Central Street, Stoughton, MA 02072. (Checks should be made out to Ahavath Torah Congregation, with " Cooper" in memo.)

Andrea's brother, Bert Peretsky, said, "As of Sunday evening, the family and their dogs are doing well, staying with neighbors and friends until they can find a rental in town.

“Insurance will cover the loss, as well as expenses incurred, and the house will be rebuilt,” he continued. “The Coopers are touched by the outpouring of concern and love from every quarter. Firefighters in Stoughton are the best. Thanks to all."

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HELPING FELINE FIRE VICTIMS: Several cats were burned in a severe house fire in Brockton last week.  Local animal activist Marcia Boland-Wells tells About Town that, "They were burned rather severely on their paws, ears, faces and heads. Lloyds Animal Medical Center in Stoughton has stepped up their care. Yesterday, while bringing some cat food to them, I met 'Ember", who is very sweet. Her burns are quite evident, but she is coming along nicely." 

The former MSPCA in Brockton will handle adoptions when the animals are ready to go to good homes.  For those wishing to help pay for the animals care and recovery, Lloyd's is accepting donations. 

Send a check to  (with memo "burn victims") to: 1995 Washington Street, Stoughton, MA 02072.  

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PIPPIN IS FOUND!  We told you about Pippin, the lost mini sheltie that went . A back door blew open and the ten pound cutie got out.

But, luckily at about 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, he was reunited with his family, courtesy of Sheldon Oliveira, who braved thorns and thick brush to retrieve him in the woods behind an apartment building. 

Tracey Miller, the dog's owner, is relatively new to Stoughton and was so appreciative of how the people responded to her plight. 

Neighbors in the area reported sightings of Pippin via social networking and phone calls, and were able to isolate where he was. Tracey says THANKS! See Sheldon and Pippin in our gallery. 

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Stoughton native Amy Snetsky, who now resides in South Easton with her husband, Jonathan Bloom.  She is a Senior Nurse Consultant at Polaris Group; to Sharon realtor Richie Gordon who sold us our Stoughton home; to Jessica Heslam, outstanding Media Columnist for the Boston Herald; o my friend John Crawford, who turns 66.  In his youth, he played Mark McCain on "The Rifleman", alongside the late Chuck Connors. It can still be seen on the ME Cable Network, and originally aired on ABC-TV from 1958-1963; to Pete "The Meat" Shepard on WEEI- Sports Radio 850; And finally, to an old pal and radio guest, Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels. 

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