Canton Group Helps Stoughton Seniors Displaced By Fire

CANTON, MA — When lighting struck senior living complex owned by the Stoughton Housing Authority last month, a fire started and caused dozens of people to evacuate. Although no one was hurt, 53 residents were displaced because of water damage in their apartments and have had to live in hotels. A Canton organization decided to they wanted to do something to help and donated flowers and board games to the displaced residents.

The Jewish Family & Children’s Service runs a program called CHAI Works-South, which works with adults with disabilities. On Monday, July 22, program participants dropped off the flowers, which were donated by the Shaw’s supermarket in Cobbs Corner. They also dropped off the board games, so the displaced seniors would have something to do in their hotel rooms.

"We brought flowers because we wanted those affected by the fire to have something beautiful during this difficult time ... ," program manager Heidi Isler said. "We take care of our neighbors. It's as simple as that."

Isler said CHAI Works-South is also working on new ways to help, including sending cards to seniors, coordinating with the Stoughton Council on Aging, helping the Old Colony YMCA's with collecting toiletries for the seniors.