Photo by Donna Davis. A young member of the Perez family, who lost everything in the fire at 149 N. Broadway, picks a doll from items collected at the PAL
Outpouring of Support for Fire Victims at 149 N. Broadway
By Dan Murphy
In my 20-plus years of covering the City of Yonkers that I have learned that when a tragedy strikes the city and some of its people need help, the Yonkers community steps up and takes care of its own. That is the case with the fire that struck 149 N. Broadway on Aug. 12, displacing 80 tenants including 38 children.
Last week, we reported on the fire and on those left without belongings and without a place to live. Days later, assistance came from different parts of the city, and culminated in an event Tuesday at the Yonkers Police Athletic League, which always serves as a focal point and safe haven for those hit by a tragedy.
The fundraiser, which also was a chance for families from 149 N. Broadway to receive some clothing, backpacks and other items that were collected for them, was thanks to several people in Yonkers who do God’s work and really don’t want to be mentioned.
Lisa Ramondelli Maskara has led the effort online to get the word out and has posted several of the wish lists from families on her Facebook page. For those who could not attend the PAL event, this is an opportunity to still help and make a contribution.
“Okay, friends, here is the info I received today after speaking with many of the families that have lost everything in the fire over a week ago. It has been a mentally challenging day and yet hearing the voices of such hope and truly thankfulness, well, this is what we do for one another,” wrote Ramondelli-Maskara.
Yonkers Board of Education Trustee Dr. Ammir Rabadi is another member of the Yonkers family that went above and beyond in helping the victims find temporary shelter and pay for their out-of-pocket costs for everything in recent days.
DJ Lenny Santowasso helped put together the event at the PAL and reached out to many of his friends in Yonkers, and his group, called Yonkers neighbors helping neighbors, to step up and help.
“Everyone in Yonkers has offered to help and do what they can,” he said. “When I called the mayor, who was on his way back to Yonkers after dropping his daughter off at college, he said ‘Let’s make sure the tenants get exactly what they need.’ And that’s how everyone has been, asking ‘What can I do to help.’”
City Councilwoman Shanae Williams, who represents the tenants of 149 N. Broadway in the First District, responded immediately to the call for help.
“I have had conversations with the mayor, the Red Cross, and county government to make sure that every family got some help and knew the process,” she said. “After staying for 48 hours at the Nodine Hill shelter, the county offered to help with services and shelter… Nobody had to sleep on the street and some families have already found a new home, because we helped but they also helped themselves. I was able to help find places to stay and apartments to rent, and now we have a wider range of people getting involved.
“That is the beautiful thing about Yonkers, is that we work together as a community to help one another,” continued Williams. “It’s something to be proud of and my office will continue to help.”
Councilwoman-elect Tasha Diaz has also been involved in helping the families of the fire.
A list of more than 100 Yonkers individuals and organizations sent out on social media shows that the calls for help did not go unanswered.
Thanks to Carmen Eliza Christina Morano, Yonkers City Council President Mike Khader, Teamsters Local 456 President Lou Picani, Giuseppe Sindona, Ru Ros Yonkers Voice, Voice Central Brian Harrod ZAZZRADIO.com, Yonkers Police Department, Yonkers Fire Department;
City Councilmembers Michael Sabatino, Anthony Merante, Corazon Pineda Isaac, John Rubbo and Mike Breen;
Yonkers Brewing Co., Top Class Limo, Mosiello Sons Jewelers, Susana Ferreira, Thomas Meier, State Sen. Shelley Mayer, State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, former State Sen. Nick Spano, Assemblyman Nader Sayegh, County Legislator David Tubiolo, former Yonkers City Council President Liam McLaughlin, Gianna Marie Tummolo, Michael Annunziato, Lenny Canora, Raymond Tabano, William DeMeo, Michele Frantzeskos, Michael Lewis, Anthony Assante, Nick Frantzeskos, Leila Zambrano, Nicky Trino, John Contrino, Cavallo Insurance Agency, Midland Ave Pizzeria, Steve & Grace Macri.
Many more in Yonkers came forward to help, and proved once again, that Yonkers takes care of its own.
