How to Help Families Displaced by Centerport Condo Blaze

Local officials are offering the public more ways to help support those who lost their homes in a Centerport condo complex blaze on January 24.

It took firefighters from 10 different departments several hours to extinguish the blaze, which was difficult to put out due to the Nor'easter winds. No one was injured, but many residents, including families with children, have lost everything in the fire.

Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, Legis. William Spencer, Coldwell Banker of Huntington, the Centerport Fire Department and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Centerport have joined forces to help support those who have lost so much.

“The residents of Bull Calf Landing truly escaped this disaster with only the clothes on their backs and there is so much help and assistance that is needed, especially since there are several young children involved,” Councilman Mark Cuthbertson said in a press release. “Regardless of how well someone is insured, the funds typically do not arrive right away despite the dire and immediate need.”

Cuthbertson said a fundraiser is being planned to take place in February in Greenlawn. The time, date and location is to be announced.

Joan Reilly, a 30-year resident of Bull Calf Landing and real estate agent, is also assisting in this humanitarian effort.

"My heart goes out to all of my neighbors who have lost not only their homes but their memorabilia, belongings and memories of a beautiful community that has been destroyed by fire,” she said. “We've become closer and draw strength from each other during this time of rebuilding.”

How to help:

Those who would like to help with the residents and children impacted by the fire can donate gift cards from Old Navy, Target, Kmart, Value Drugs, CVS, or any local supermarket, kids or adult clothing stores or gift cards to a local restaurant, pizzeria or fast food. American Express gift cards will also be accepted.

The donations can be dropped off at any of the following locations until Sunday. Feb. 26:

• Main lobby in Huntington Town Hall, located at 100 Main St. in Huntington
• Legislator William Spencer’s Office, located at 15 Park Circle Suite 209 in Centerport
• Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish, located at 50 Prospect St. in Centerport
• Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, located at 82 Main St. in Huntington

The Harborfields Alliance For Community Outreach (HACO) has also been collecting money and gift card donations to support the families in need.

For more information on how you can help, call Councilman Mark Cuthbertson at: 631-351-3171, Legislator William Spencer at: 631-854-4500, Maria Ryan with Our Lady Queen of Martyrs at: 631-754-9045, Joan Reilly with Coldwell Banker at: 631-944-8933 or the Centerport Fire Department [for non-emergencies] at: 631-261-5916.

Photo courtesy of Centerport Fire Department, Flyer via Cuthbertson’s Office