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The event, organized by Nicole Ward, will take place on Sunday, Dec. 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Trina's Treats in Lyndhurst. Organizers are requesting gift cards to stores like ShopRite, Walmart, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Target, and Kohl’s.
Winter clothing donations for the family—which includes parents and four children—are also being accepted.
"This family has four kids and deserves to not miss out on Christmas joy," Ward, a Lyndhurst resident, said in a social media post.
Toy donations are no longer needed, thanks to a generous individual who donated 75 toys, but other items remain in demand, she said.
Clothing sizes needed include:
- Mom: Medium/Size 7
- Dad: XXL
- Girl, 10 years old: Size 12-14
- Twin boys, 5 years old: Size 5-6
- Baby, 18-24 months
The event will feature a drop-and-go setup to ensure ease of donation and avoid parking issues. Volunteers will be on-site to assist, and Nicole Ward has offered to coordinate pickups for those unable to attend in person.
"When a tragedy like this hits a small town, everyone immediately wants to help in one way or another, whether it’s donating or spreading the word," Ward said. "It was inspiring to see the outpouring of donations from complete strangers. I was happy to be a part of it."
ORIGINAL STORY:
A Friday evening, Dec. 20 house fire in Bergen County displaced a family of six and destroyed a vehicle, fire officials said.
The Lyndhurst Fire Department responded to the blaze at 52 Livingston Ave. at approximately 6:35 p.m., a statement from the department said.
Flames were visible from the rear of the first floor of the home and had spread to a car in the driveway, which ignited due to radiant heat.
The first arriving crew from 32-Engine 1 initiated an aggressive interior attack on the fire while a separate hose line was used to extinguish the burning vehicle, fire officials said. Their swift actions kept the fire from spreading beyond the first floor.
Mutual aid support was provided by North Arlington Fire Department, which sent a FAST team, and Rutherford Fire Department, which supplied an additional engine to the scene. East Rutherford and Secaucus fire departments provided station coverage during the incident.
No injuries were reported, but the home was deemed uninhabitable. Two adults and four children were displaced as a result of the fire. The cause was determined to be unintentional following an investigation.
The Lyndhurst Fire Department thanked neighboring fire departments for their assistance in responding to the scene.
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