REP. McCRORY ESTABLISHES BEDFORD STREET FIRE VICTIMS RELIEF FUND

7^TH District State Representative Douglas McCrory is announcing the organization of the “Bedford Street Fire Victim Relief Fund”. The Bedford Street neighborhood, which is part of Representative McCrory’s district, was struck with a tragic fire that took the lives of a 43 year old mother and her 4 year old daughter as well as displacing several other residents of the building.

An account has been established at the Hartford Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union for donations. Donations can be made out to the “Bedford Street Fire Victims Relief Fund” and sent to HMEFCU at 443 Franklin Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114. Donations will be used to help defray the cost of funeral services and financial needs of the other victims.

The fund will also be collecting winter clothing items and footwear as well as household items as the victims burned out of their apartments begin the process of rebuilding. Items can be dropped off at the office of Trinity Episcopal Church at 120 Sigourney Street Monday through Thursday from 9:00am until 3:00PM or during Sunday services.

Representative McCrory wishes to thank those who helped organize this effort so quickly, including Marco Signorelli, Manager, of the Hartford Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union as well as the Reverend Donald Hamer, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church  for graciously offering his Church as a drop off point.

To arrange for pick-up of items, please contact 7^th District spokespeople  Kevin Brookman at 860-883-2297 or Victoria Fennell at 860-810-1160.

Susan Therrien, the mother of 4 year old Chantay Drake, both died as a result of the fire. Earlier today I spoke with Chantay's uncle and he informed me that Susan was going through medical issues and money was very tight for the family. I asked if there were any benefits or life insurance, which apparently there is not.

I called Frank Ahern of the Ahern Funeral Home of Hartford and Farmington. Frank is a family friend and a Funeral Director that my family has done business with in the past, as well as my next door neighbor. I explained the situation and he immediately agreed to do whatever I  and the Drake family needed. As of the last I knew, the Ahern Family was dealing with the  Drake family .

 Thank you to everyone for coming together as a community to bring peace and comfort to the Drake family during these difficult. times.

As part of the healing and remembrance, the Reverend Henry Brown will hold a memorial vigil at the scene of the fire, 62-64 Bedford Street, Saturday at 11:00am