YMCA Aims To Help 4 Toms River Families Affected By Fatal Fire

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Fundraising efforts are underway to help four families whose homes were damaged in the fatal fire that took the life of a mother and educator in Toms River last Friday.

The Ocean County YMCA is organizing the drive, called the Silverton Fire Family Relief Fund, to assist the families in the other four homes that were damaged when strong winds carried the flames from the home of the Trahey family to theirs.

The fire killed Sara Trahey, 33. Her husband and three children were able to escape the fire at their 15th Street home, which was ruled accidental, the Ocean County prosecutor's office said Monday.

"One of the YMCA's greatest strengths is to bring people together and (provide) assistance to those in need," the Ocean County YMCA said in announcing the fundraising drive.

A YMCA staffer's family was among the other four whose homes were damaged, the announcement said.

The YMCA will be accepting monetary donations for those families at the Welcome Desk at the Y, 1088 West Whitty Road, Toms River. Those wishing to donate can make checks payable to the Ocean County YMCA.

The donations will be converted to gift cards to help the families "meet the basic expenses of beginning to rebuild their lives."

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