GRAFTON — Monetary donations are welcome for a family displaced by a weekend fire that completely destroyed their house on Sunday.
No more donations of clothing are needed at this time, says Kim Bank, who spearheaded a clothing drive this week and otherwise has been assisting Mona and Randy Distefano and their two boys, Noah and Zach in the aftermath of the blaze.
Firefighters from Grafton Fire and Rescue responded to the fire at 900 Wright Orchard Rd. at around 7 a.m. after it was reported by a passerby, according to a post on the fire department's Facebook page.
“From the first tone, mutual aid companies were already on their way here. Saxtons River, Bellows Falls, Chester, Rockingham, Walpole, N.H., Westminster, Townshend, Springfield, Golden Cross all responded with equipment and personnel and worked throughout the day along with our own Rescue responders,” the firefighters posted. “Even our Juniors got a workout."
By the time a second alarm was sounded at 9:23 a.m., both the house and the garage were fully involved.
The family is going through a first wave of donations of clothing and shoes. “If there is further need of any clothing, we will let you know,” Bank wrote in a post thanking donors on behalf of the family.
“It always amazes me at how our community comes together when someone is in need,” she wrote. “I feel so lucky to be a part of Grafton.”