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FishHawk Fire Victims Overwhelmed by Community Support

John and Melissa Watson of FishHawk Ranch lost most of their belongings in a fire that ravaged their home Monday night.

 

Neighbors, friends, business owners and complete strangers have all come forward to help a FishHawk Ranch family whose home was destroyed by a fire Monday night.

"I've been fielding phone calls from people wanting to donate all day," said neighbor Kelly Rowjohn who has turned her home into a makeshift warehouse for all of the clothes, furniture and hygiene products the community has donated.

John and Melissa Watson were at home Monday night with their two daughters, Riley, 6, and Abby, 3, and their dog, Bailey, when they smelled smoke and realized their home was on fire.

"I knew it was bad when I saw the roof catch fire," said Rowjohn, who watched from her home on Kiteridge Drive across the street from the Watson's home. "But the fire department was amazing. The minute the fire was out, they formed a brigade and began rescuing the family's photos and other irreplaceable items. It was phenomenal to see."

Among the items rescued was a photo of John and Melissa Watson on their wedding day surrounded by notes of congratulations.

"This was the main art in their living room and I knew it was very special, so I was so relieved when I saw them carry it out. I took it right to my house. The frame was all melted but someone took it and had it reframed for them," said Rowjohn.

Neighbor Susan Antalek, who is helping Rowjohn coordinate the contributions to the family, said she's been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.

"I can't tell you how many times we've cried over the graciousness, support and prayers of the community," she said. "Even people who don't live here have called and asked how they can help. John and Melissa feel very blessed to live in a community like ours."

Donations to date include a refrigerator and a washer and dryer, clothes for the entire family, hygiene products, shoes and purses.

A collection was even taken up at the FishHawk Ranch Christmas tree lighting ceremony Tuesday night.

"And we've had plenty of food provided," said Rowjohn.

Jaymer-Q Barbecue donated food on Wednesday while Beef O' Brady's in FishHawk Ranch fed the family and neighbors Tuesday night.

"In addition, Publix in FishHawk sent over party trays of food," said Rowjohn.

Local Realtor Brenda Wade donated her truck so the volunteers could transfer donations to a storage shed donated by FishHawk Storage. Brandon Rental donated tables to sort items.

Rowjohn also received a call from Raymond James Financial offering to adopt the family for Christmas.

And Jen and George Telesha of FishHawk Ranch and co-workers from Coca-Cola Refreshment donated gift cards, toys, clothes, school supplies and money.

"I work with some pretty awesome people," said Telesha.

Even Bailey the dog hasn't been ignored. Bloomingdale Pet Supply is providing food and toys for the family pet.

The family still has some needs, however, said Rowjohn. They're in need of a set of twin beds for the girls, storage bins to store the donated items in, children's medications, Bandaids and cleaning supplies.

One of the best things people can do is to purchase gift cards for the family to Wal-Mart and Target so the Watsons can replace the Christmas gifts for the girls that were lost in the fire, said Rowjohn.

The Watsons' church, St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Rd., Valrico, has gift cards available for residents to purchase for the Watsons and will see that the family receives them, said parish manager Tom Doyle.

For a complete list of needs, visit the website the neighbors have set up for the family, watsonfamilyhome.com. The website will allow residents to make donations through Paypal as well.

In addition, Formaggio's Pizza and Pizza Express will be donating 10 percent of the proceeds from sales during the next two Friday nights to the Watsons, and will match whatever is raised. Patrons just need to mention the Watson family to have the 10 percent donated.

For more information on how to help, contact Rowjohn at 655-9985.

psinded

7:39 pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Wow, my ex's and sons house burnt to the ground and the local church gave them a referral to lighthouse charities which gave them food with bugs in it and offered furniture I wouldn't let my dog sit on. Then again, it was a mobile home, and they weren't living in a well off neighborhood, guess they didn't deserve help.

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Bacupaba

12:06 am on Thursday, December 15, 2011

Psinded, we DON'T live in a well off neighborhood.. There are two separate sides to Fishhawk.. Our homes are located in phase 1 our street is comprised of mainly working class families that live pay check to pay check. I'm sorry your local church didn't offer what St.Stephens is offering them. Majority of the donations have been from neighbors willing to donate, if your ex & son lived around crappy neighbors that wouldn't help or neighbors that just couldn't, that doesn't mean they didn't deserve help, but that's no reason to take it out here. I know my family can't afford to help out, but we did what we could by donating shoes, clothes, spare bedsheets that were given as a Christmas gift and were never used because we have plenty & spare purses..

Go take your bitterness elsewhere..

mary florkiewicz

5:20 am on Thursday, December 15, 2011

tell them to be careful if Bay Area Kleenup shows up, they don't want them to do a thing to their house. I base this on personal experience, please tell them to be careful and if they can hire their own. My insurance adjuster contacted the ref company and I thought that was who my insurance company wanted me to use... nope

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Cyndi

9:05 am on Thursday, December 15, 2011

We had a customer in Jaymer -Que last night that should be calling with two almost brand new twin beds. We gave them Kelly's number. Call us if you don't hear from them.

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Heike House

11:36 am on Thursday, December 15, 2011

What a wonderful story! Even in this busy season and difficult economy, it is so good to hear about the generous hearts of people offering whatever help they can afford.

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