United Way and others helping their own in Fall River

FALL RIVER – There’s never a shortage of people helping people in the city of Fall River, and the same goes for its local agencies.

The United Way of Greater Fall River, through a relief collection, presented checks on Wednesday for $8,000 each to the Firefighters Wives Association and the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

Donations came from businesses, agencies and others, all wanting to help the residents of Four Winds who lost everything in the tragic New Year’s Day fire.

“That’s what it’s all about, helping everyone,” said Kimberly J. Smith, United Way executive director.

Sharron Furtado, who heads the non-profit Firefighters Wives Association, said the group has collected more than $100,000, including the donation from the United Way, for the 36 families so far, with several additional fundraisers scheduled.

“I expected it,” Furtado said. “Fall River knows how to hug their families.”

She said all of the families are doing well and have found apartments. Three families are waiting for new apartments at Four Winds, and one family moved away from the area.

“I’m in contact with all of them,” Furtado said. “They’re doing really well.”

Some funds have already been disbursed to the families. The association’s goal was to collect $1,000 for each for the more than 80 people who lost everything that day.

“We’ve exceeded that,” she said.

Donations to the relief collection came from the United Way of Greater New Bedford, United Way of Mass Bay/ Merrimack Valley, BankFive, BayCoast Bank, Karam Financial, Mike and Alan Biszko, Fall River Deaconness Home residents and staff, and United Way of Greater Fall River board members.

Grace Williams, assistant deputy executive director of the Fall River Deaconness Home, said all the girls in the residential facility wanted to help, so they donated their allowance to the fund.

“Our community rose to the occasion to assist with this worthwhile endeavor,” Smith said in a press release. “We are so appreciative of the donations received from our community partners, which combined with our Disaster Relief support, will help make the journey ahead a bit smoother for these families.”

Hilary Greene, executive director of the Red Cross chapter that oversees southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape and Islands, said it was “very important assistance” that it received in the contribution.

“The United Way does so much great work,” Greene said. “They’ve been supporting us forever.”

Email Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com.