Benefit For Kingstowne Fire Victims Raises Hundreds

KINGSTOWNE, VA—A Thursday night benefit show for the Kingstowne family displaced from their home in the Feb. 2 fire has raised $400. The Catjam bluegrass performance at Franconia Moose Lodge drew a notable attendance and collected the donations in a tip jar.

The group will deliver all of the donations to the Hunt family.

Catjam, spearheaded by the King Street Bluegrass band, is a event that regularly holds shows for for local causes. Since 2010, it's raised $120,000 for local charities. The group usually holds the fundraisers every second Thursday of the month at the Franconia Moose Lodge.

A GoFundMe for the family is also nearly halfway to a $5,000 goal. In addition, the family has requested gift card donations mailed to 6228 Les Dorson Ln Alexandria, VA 22315.

Sharon Hunt, her daughter Kyra, nephew Jason, and grandchildren were not injured in the fire that severely damaged their home. They are receiving Red Cross assistance but are in need of money for food, clothing, other necessities and to cover home repair costs. Three of the grandchildren aged 10-16 are living with the family, while an 19-year-old granddaughter is currently away from home at Norfolk State University.

Fire investigators have determined incense left unattended started the fire in the garage. The fire caused $73,870 in damages, including damage to a neighboring home's siding.

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Pictured from left to right are: Roger Hart Harmonica, Alpha Dog Band; Fred Nelson, mandolin, Boys Night Out; Shelley Burns, fiddle, The Raccoons; Donnie Faulkner, lead singer, King Street Bluegrass; James Boberg; Robert Swain, baritone ,King Street Bluegrass; Elizabeth Merkhofer, fiddle; Nancy Lisi, upright bass, King Street Bluegrass; Richard Hinman, dobro, Split String Soup. Image via Catjam.