Family stunned by generosity after fire destroys their home
JEFFERSON TWP — More than $30,000 has been raised to support a family of six who lost their home to a fire Tuesday night.
The state police fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire that destroyed the home of Patrick and Milissa Rodgers. A state police report said the blaze, which started about 11:30 p.m., caused an estimated $200,000 damage to the home, which was insured.
A faulty wood burner in the basement of the home may have caused the fire, which was at the corner of Saxonburg Road and Mushrush Road, authorities said. But they said a power surge reported in the area shortly before the fire also could have played a role.
The Rodgers, along with their four children, ages 10 to 17, were left homeless after the blaze.
Two pet dogs — a pair of older golden retrievers — perished in the fire, along with four cats and a rabbit.
Numerous friends quickly acted to assist the family.
Nance Conlon of Penn Township started a fundraising drive on the website GoFundMe.com.
“This was a no-brainer,” Conlon said. “They're really just a spectacular family.”
More than 360 people donated more than $30,000 as of this morning. Individual donations ranged up to $1,000. More than 1,500 people shared the page through Facebook.
Numerous people also donated clothing and furniture to the family.
Conlon said she is amazed at the support shown.
“There are a lot of folks involved,” she said. “It's an amazing community here in the South Butler School District.”
Conlon knows the Rodgers family through the Saxonburg Spartans cheerleading team. Milissa Rodgers is the president of the group, while Conlon is a coach.
Each of Rodgers' three daughters is involved with the team.
“This family has already done so much for the community,” Conlon said. “And I know they would be doing the same if it were someone else going through this.”Conlon said she initially set a goal of $5,000 to help the family. But donations quickly surpassed that number.“That was just a number I came up with,” she said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would take off like this.”Tammy Grassi, who went to Knoch High School with the Rodgers, said the level of support has left the family speechless.“They're overwhelmed,” said Grassi, who had been in close contact with the family. “They're grateful for everyone who has donated.”Grassi called the family “very humble” and said they were trying to get a grasp on everything that had happened during the past two days.“They're trying to figure out what direction to go,” she said, adding the family is still deciding on where they will stay and whether they will rebuild their home or move elsewhere.The Rodgers are staying with relatives in Penn Township.The Rodgers Thursday were working with their insurance company and trying to sort out what to do next.Their friends were by their side to help run errands and assist in any way possible.“We wanted to make sure the kids had things to wear and stuff like that,” Grassi said.Holly Mead, a neighbor and family friend, said she has been “blown away” by the overwhelming support of the community toward the Rodgers family.She said her phone has been ringing constantly, and her e-mail has been clogged.Mead was helping the family since the fire happened.“The night of the fire, the kids ran to my house. They didn't have on any shoes or coats or socks. I mean, they were in their pajamas and they came to my door, and they knocked on my door. It was a little bit before midnight,” she said.She went to Walmart about 2 a.m. to buy a change of clothes and shoes for them. But she noted that the family is more of the giving kind than receiving.“If anybody around had a tragedy, the first person that's going to show up and is going to be there and is going to do whatever needs to be done is Milissa Rodgers. She is that person,” Mead said.“I stood there with her while her house burned down, and all of her belongings were lost, including her pets, and all she worried about was that she had money in that house that was in a tin can that had been donated and she had collected to take to Susan G. Komen Foundation ... She never once mentioned any of her personal belongings, but worried about everybody else.”To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/i6incw.Donations of checks or gift cards also may be sent to Judy Geist, 110 Bonniebrook Road, Cabot, PA 16023. Checks should be made out to Patrick or Milissa Rodgers.A savings fund at the First Commonwealth Bank in Saxonburg also was created in the Rodgers' name.The South Butler School District will collect donations for the family. The district in a news release said the South Butler Santas, a district affiliated organization, will sponsor a gift card drive as an additional way for donations. District staff and families may drop off gift cards anonymously at any district building office.“The South Butler County School community empathizes with a district family who lost their home to a tragic fire,” the release said.Grassi said the community already is preparing a fundraising dinner in Saxonburg later this month as well.Conlon said people are showing their kindness during the holiday season.“It brings out the best in people,” she said.However, Grassi said she was not surprised by the support.“It's wonderful that we live in such a caring community,” she said. “People are willing to help, and they deserve it.”
