By MADDY VITALE
The Ocean City community is working together to show 23 people who lost their homes when a fire broke out last month that they have strong support. They will not be homeless and they will not go hungry.
In less than three weeks, some of the people displaced by the fire at a multi-family building at 932 Simpson Ave. were able to secure temporary housing, thanks to the generosity of the community.
City and school officials and staff, local businesses, churches and nonprofit organizations donated time, food, money, and even found them winter rentals.
Cristian Moreno-Rodriguez, executive director of El Pueblo Unido of Atlantic City, is assisting the families through his organization.
He said in an interview Tuesday that he is amazed at the overwhelming support from the community.
“For the past 18 days since the devastating fire at 932 Simpson Avenue, the entire community of Ocean City has worked nonstop to help the families, individuals and children displaced by this tragic incident,” Moreno-Rodriguez said an email updating members of the community who have helped the families.
He said in the interview that it has been the work of many that has made it possible for the families to have shelter, clothing, food, financial aid, and other needed resources.
“I am happy to report that as of today, all of the 23 adults and children originally seeking temporary shelter at the Watson Hotel have either found short term housing, have been taken in by close family and friends or have moved back into the rear cottage of the property,” Moreno-Rodriguez explained in his update.
Moreno-Rodriguez also thanked all of the people who came forward to help, whether donating money through a GoFundMe page in support of the fire victims or supplying food and other necessities.
“Thanks to all of you, no one will have to suffer from homelessness, food insecurity, lack of clean clothing and all are currently safe and sound,” he said.
Throughout the tragedy, the Ocean City School District, with the support of Schools Superintendent Dr. Matthew Friedman, has helped the families through fundraisers.
Last week, the girls and boys basketball teams organized coin drops that all three schools participated in. The fundraiser was incorporated into a pep rally held at the primary school to cheer on the Eagles in the Super Bowl.
“The school district has been wonderful,” Moreno-Rodriguez said, adding that some teachers bought items for the kids who lost their belongings in the fire.
Primary School Principal Dr. Cathleen Smith said in an interview that the community really came together to help the students and their families.
She said incorporating the coin drop into the pep rally was something of a teaching experience.
“We wanted to teach that you can come together to celebrate things and also give back to the community,” she said.
There was also an array of other activities to benefit the families, which included raffles and donation drives.
“We did a special lunch at the primary school and raffles and had fun with it,” Smith said. “We were able to give the money to the families. The community really came together.”
Smith noted that the success of the school fundraisers was possible because of Schools Superintendent Dr. Matthew Friedman.
“Dr. Friedman was at the helm, asking how we could help the families,” she said.
Smith said that the school district will continue to help in any way that is needed.
“We are just hoping that we can continue to help,” she said. “Ocean City is an amazing community. When things happen, you just have to come together to help.”
Moreno-Rodriguez noted that he is so pleased with the generosity of the community and the progress on behalf of the families.
“We are in the home stretch,” he said. “We, as a community, have stabilized these families so that no one is forced to live on the streets, suffer from starvation, suffer from the cold winter or feel that they are alone in this world.”
Moreno-Rodriguez noted that Ocean City Council President Pete Madden, a local realtor and broker/owner of Goldcoast Sotheby’s at 34th Street, helped secure a winter rental for one of the families with three children who attend the intermediate and primary schools.
“Pete Madden has to get a shout out. I called him and within five minutes he secured a winter rental for the family,” he said.
Ultimately, the goal is to find permanent housing for the families.
During the past few weeks, the focus has also shifted from the monetary donations to gift cards.
“We will continue accepting groceries, gift cards, and laundry detergent to help the families save on expenses and save up their money for the next move,” Moreno-Rodriguez said.
More than $16,000 was raised in a $15,000 goal on a GoFundMe page set up for donations to help the displaced families. People may still donate to the page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/23-community-members-displaced-by-ocean-city-fire.
