Local Resident Starts Fundraising Campaign For Victims of Oceanside Fire

OCEANSIDE, NY - A local resident recently started a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to raise money for the victims of the recent Oceanside fire that destroyed several businesses and an apartment building.

"When I heard about the fires that destroyed over 50 people's apartments I knew something needed to be done," the creator the page, Sean Roth, wrote. "When we lost our house during Hurricane Sandy , the amount of support was unreal. With that being said, I feel like we need to turn around and do the same for the people involved in this fire."

In addition to the GoFundMe page, Roth also went to Facebook to raise money for the victims, created a group page as well as posting that he wanted to help the victims.

After posting on Facebook, his friend, Horin Yip reached out to help out and together, along with several sponsors, and other people in this community, they arranged for an optional prize pool for people who donate, according to the page.

There hope to have a total of five prizes, depending on how much is donated. Currently, there are over 18 different companies that will be participating and have agreed to donate prizes which include: Ejuice, Mods, Box mods, Drip Tips, Shirts, Hats, and Wire.

The prizes will be announced once everything is collected. At the end of the fundraising, the names of those who donated will be added to a randomized list which will be rolled three times, and the top name of each list will win their respective prize, Roth wrote on the page.

The page was created on Monday, with the goal of raising a total of $1,000 to go to the Oceanside Community Services. So far, as of Wednesday a total of $537 has been raised.

"These people lost everything and were left with just the clothes on their backs. I cannot imagine what it is like to have to deal with such a complete loss, and even though i'm sure red-cross will help, any bit we raise can make a difference," Roth wrote on the page. "These people need help, and we, as a community can make that happen."

For more information or to donate, visit the GoFundMe page here.

Photo: GoFundMe/Money For Oceanside NY Fire Victims