Fuller Center, Lions Aid Port Chester Fire Victims

MAMARONECK, NY — On Sunday, Aug 30, Port Chester experienced a significant fire that displaced 25 families and destroyed all of their possessions. The Fuller Center for Housing of Greater New York and several Westchester County Lions Clubs quickly responded to help the displaced families. Jim Killoran, president of the Fuller Center in New Rochelle and VP of the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions, jumped in to determine how to help.

He asked Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club president, Phil Oldham, to help pull together other Westchester Lions Clubs to assist.

Together with Tuckahoe Eastchester Lions president, David Zimmerman and Rye City Lions Club president Brian Jackson, they set up a drive for clothing and household supplies. The Rye City Lions Club then set up a Go-Fund-Me drive to raise funds to help with finding a new apartment and cover other expenses.

David Zimmerman, also the managing agent of Gateway Port Chester Shopping Center, provided space to collect & hold donated items. Other Lions Clubs from NYC & Westchester quickly responded, donating essentials and funds to Go-Fund Me.

The Fuller Center for Housing of Greater New York is a registered 501(c)3 charitable non-profit that builds homes for those in need, who could not otherwise afford to be home owners. They also respond to emergency needs in our Lower Hudson Valley communities, and have been particularly busy helping where needed during the current Coronavirus Pandemic.

The Westchester Lions Clubs and The Fuller Center will also host a clothing drive in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester, set up by David Zimmerman and Gateway Port Chester Shopping Center on Saturday, October 10.

The Lions Clubs of Westchester County have begun working together to respond to countywide and individual community needs, including where there is no Lions Club. The Lions Club International is the world’s largest service organization, with over 1.4 million members. The Lions are dedicated to 5 core concerns — vision, hunger, the environment, childhood cancer and diabetes, They are also signatories to the United Nations resolutions on women’s and refugee rights.