CRANBERRY TWP — What started as an effort by Seneca Valley Middle School eighth grader Bailyn Bench to help gather items for a neighborhood family whose home was damaged by fire has turned into a larger effort to help others affected by fire.

Victims of Fire is Bailyn's effort to help victims in the areas covered by the Cranberry, Zelienople, Evans City, Harmony and Adams Area Fire District.

“My plan is to put together care packages of basic toiletries and immediate needs such as shampoo, conditioner, aspirin, deodorant, hand sanitizer and lots more,” said 14-year-old Bailyn, who added she felt very bad for her neighbors.

“Insurance doesn't come through right away, if they have any at all — so these families don't have anything immediately following a fire.

“I would really like to help and be able to make this bigger and better each year,” she said.

Bailyn has met with representatives of the Cranberry fire company on how to coordinate distributing the items in the future. She plans to meet with the other departments as well as the American Red Cross to gauge what items are needed and avoid duplicating services already offered.

It was Bailyn's neighbors, the Hepingers, whose home in the Fox Run neighborhood was severely damaged by fire on Feb. 4.

William Hepinger and his adult daughter, who had been sleeping, were able to get out safely, along with the family dog.

“(The smoke detector) saved their lives,” Chief Brian Kovac of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company said the morning following the fire. “There's no doubt in my mind.”

The basement was filled with flames when firefighters arrived. Suppression foam and water was used in the basement and worked well to put out the blaze.

“The guys knocked it down pretty quickly,” Kovac said. “They did a great job.”

Luckily, no family members were injured. Damage to the house and contents was estimated at $100,000. The property is insured and the family is planning to repair the damage.

In the weeks since the fire, Bailyn has been able to collect gift cards and other toiletries.

“I'm just happy I can help out people,” she said.

Bailyn's mother, Christine, said her daughter received items by creating flyers and distributing them throughout Fox Run and nearby neighborhoods. And the goods have poured in.

She also placed flyers in local stores announcing her project and asking for donations to her Victims of Fire charity.

People were dropping off items at the home and on the family's porch. Items will be packed in care packages and distributed to families in need.

Collections are being stored in the family's basement, and more are received by the day.

“We have people still coming to our door everyday just to give donations,” said Christine Bench.

The North Park Deckhouse also put up the flyer and will help collect toward Bailyn's efforts, Christine said.

Bailyn and the Hepinger family said they are very thankful to the Fox Run neighborhood and all of Cranberry for the generous donations to support Bailyn's efforts.

To make a donation to Victims of Fire to aid the Hepingers and future families affected by fire, contact Bailyn by e-mail at: victimsoffire@zoominternet.net.