Breakfast fundraiser for Arnold family planned for Saturday
By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
COEYMANS — When tragedy strikes in a small town, that’s oftentimes when the community steps up to show they’ve got your back.
That’s what is taking place in Coeymans right now as friends and neighbors are coming to the aid of a family that lost everything in a tragic fire.
On Feb. 14, Sergeant Kelly Arnold, a member of the Coeymans Police Department, and her family lost their home on River Road in Selkirk and everything they own to a massive fire that gutted the house. A family pet also died in the fire, but Arnold, her husband and three children were not injured.
But when all appeared bleak, the community stepped up to help. And the aid is still coming.
After word of the tragic fire got out, Town Clerk Candace McHugh started a GoFundMe account to support the family.
While McHugh set an initial goal of $20,000, donations came pouring in and that goal was exceeded in less than 24 hours, according to McHugh. So far, $46,085 was raised as of Sunday, through 460 donations.
Just five days after the fire, on Feb. 19, McHugh posted a message on the GoFundMe page encouraging people to continue helping out through the numerous community events that are still going on.
“The community support that has rallied around the Arnold family is [a] beautiful sight to see!” McHugh said. “Opportunities continue to pop up for you to lend a hand. Keep an eye out for them!”
One of those opportunities will be this weekend.
On Saturday, March 8, from 8-11 a.m., a sit-down breakfast will be held at Senior Projects of Ravena at 8 Bruno Boulevard in the village.
Sponsored by local first responders, the breakfast will include pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast and beverages, for $15 per person (cash only). All proceeds from the event will go to the Arnold family to help in their time of need.
In addition to breakfast, there will also be a raffle for items donated by local businesses to raise even more money to support the family.
The breakfast is the latest in a string of fundraisers to help the family get back on their feet. The Selkirk Fire Department served as a collection site to collect new or gently used clothing, personal hygiene products and other items to replace what the couple and their three children lost in the fire. The fire department also hosted collection sites around the community to raise monetary donations.
The Slingerlands Fire Department hosted a benefit this past weekend, on March 2, in Albany, also in support of the family.
