Community rallies around family that lost home to fire
The house that was destroyed by fire on Sunday was home to a family of five.
Firefighters from Marion, Adwolfe, and Sugar Grove battled the blaze.
A Sunday morning fire claimed a Marion family’s home and the lives of their two dogs. Now, the community is rallying around the family to show their support and help them begin to recover.
According to the Town of Marion, just before 10:30 a.m., Marion Fire-EMS was dispatched to the 2800 block of Highway 16 for a working structure fire at the Robertson family’s home.
Upon arrival, firefighters found a single-story house engulfed by flames.
Additional firefighters from Sugar Grove and Adwolfe responded to help fight the blaze.
The Robertson family, Kyle and Jessica, and youngsters, Gregory, Bailey, and Zayden, weren’t at home when the blaze started.
“Watching our house burn down is something I never imagined my family would ever have to go through. In just moments, we lost our home, our belongings, and everything we had,” wrote Kyle as he set up a GoFundMe account. “I’m raising funds for my family as we try to take the next steps after this house fire and find a way to rebuild from nothing.”
In that message, Kyle also addressed the loss of the family’s “two beloved dogs, Pippy and Lola. They were not just pets to us. They were family. Their love and presence meant so much in our home, and the pain of losing them is deeper than words can explain.”
Find the account at https://gofund.me/26c267bb8.
Several local churches, businesses and individuals are working to help the family with clothing and other needs, including household essentials, toiletries and personal care items, bedding, blankets, and towels, sports equipment, and cleats for the boys’ sports along with monetary donations and store gift cards.
Blazin’ Scoops Creamery and Sandwiches is even looking ahead to the holidays.
On Thursday, according to the Main Street eatery’s Facebook post, it will donate 10% of all sales directly to the family. They will also be collecting Christmas presents for the three boys, who are 6, 7, and 10 years old and would like to buy bikes for the boys. The fire destroyed their bikes.
On Facebook, Blazin’ Scoops wrote, “Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference. Let’s show this family just how much our Marion community cares. We may not be able to replace everything they’ve lost, but together, we can help bring a little hope, love, and Christmas joy into their lives.”
Immediate needs include storage totes, scrubs of any color for Jessica, and food.
Clothing is needed for:
• Jessica Robertson — adult L/XL, size 14; shoes 9;
• Gregory Neal — youth 8–10/M; shoes 5;
• Bailey Neal — youth 10 husky/XL; shoes 4;
• Zayden Neal — youth 5–6/S; shoes 12;
• Kyle Robertson, XL shirt, 30-32 pants, and shoes size 10-10.5.
Donations drop-off sites are:
- Blue Ridge Title, 202 East Main St., Marion;
- Community Connection Support Services, 1307 North Main St., Marion;
- Marion Automotive Group, contact Josh Ellis, 128 Chevy Way, Marion;
- Contact Brittany Kell or Amber Tarvin to set up a meeting.
