Staten Island Families Displaced By Fire: Urgent Request For Essentials – Blankets, Clothing, Hygiene Items, Cooking Supplies By CFLC

Central Family Life Center

6 hours ago

The message that follows was updated from CFLC:

I left work early last week to pick up from JCC who helped us out. The incident happened at 476 Richmond Terrace. At this time, most of the families have been discharged from the hotel, but they lost many of their possessions in the fire. Those families likely still need support.

This fire was reported by the Advance:

“An FDNY response was sent to a fire at the Richmond Terrace Houses in New Brighton on Friday morning. The high-rise apartment complex sits at 476 Richmond Terrace, between Westervelt Avenue and Jersey Street. The fire started on the first floor and spread to multiple spaces. Thirty-eight units and 120 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene. EMS transported 13 civilians with non-life-threatening injuries to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton. “

From CFLC: We’ve received an urgent request for our community. Earlier this week, a fire displaced 13 families—approximately 15 to 20 individuals, including multiple families with children—from their homes.

They escaped with only the clothes on their backs and are currently in temporary accommodation with absolutely nothing. While they are working with the Red Cross and the NYC Emergency Housing Services for long-term shelter, they have an immediate, critical need for basic essentials to get through the next few days. I am putting out a call to our network to help us collect the following new or gently used items:

Bedding: Blankets, pillows, and towels
Clothing (All Sizes, Men, Women, & Children): Socks, underwear, and everyday outfits
Hygiene: Soap, shampoo, toiletries, and deodorant
Kitchen/Food: Non-perishable food items and bottled drinking water

How you can help:

Donate Items: If you have any of the above items available, please contact Monique at CFLC (info below), and they will coordinate a pickup or drop-off location with you. (Alternatively: You can drop items off at the address below between 9 am to 6 pm.)

Send a Gift Card: Because sizes and preferences vary widely, gift cards to Target, Walmart, or ShopRite are incredibly helpful. These allow families to buy exactly what they need in their specific sizes. I am happy to collect these and distribute them directly.

Share this Message: If you cannot donate, please share this story with anyone you know on Staten Island or in the NYC area who might be able to help.

Timeline: We are hoping to gather these supplies ASAP so we can deliver them to the families as soon as possible.

I know we are all asked to help often, but this is a small group of our neighbors who have lost everything in an instant. Any contribution—no matter how small —makes a massive difference right now.

Thank you for your kindness and for stepping up for these families.

Ms. Monique Thomas, Programming Manager
The Central Family Life Center
389 Van Duzer Street, Staten Island NY 10304
718-273-8414 x 255 (Desk)

Banner Image: Apartment fire. Image Credit – Lai Man Nung

Central Family Life Center

We respond to the needs of our neighbors with mentorship, education, wellness, and support. Together we are building a stronger and healthier Staten Island for all.