Kids & Family

Support Pours in for Braintree Family Who Lost Home to Fire

The Fords lost their home to a fire Monday morning.

A day and a half after a fire destroyed the Ford's house at 285 Pearl St., community members had already set up several ways for people to donate to the Braintree family and an online fundraising campaign had pulled in nearly $12,000.

Braintree Cooperative Bank has set up a fund to funnel donations to the family, businesses in town, including The Brew House and Braintree Cleaners, have offered to serve as donation centers, and a fundraising webpage at Giveforward.com had collected 170 donations totaling $11,980 as of early Tuesday afternoon.

Mayor Joseph Sullivan said Tuesday he was not surprised by the outpouring of support, considering that the Fords are well-known and well-liked in Braintree. John, the father, has been a longtime youth sports volunteer, and his wife Peg is a nurse. They have three daughters, Kellie, Sam, and Abbie.

No one in the family was injured during the Monday morning blaze. A firefighter suffered minor injuries after slipping on ice. The home, originally built by Habitat for Humanity, sustained $300,000 in damages to the structure and property, including a car and truck that were in the driveway.

Many of the dozens of people who donated online to the Fords offered notes of love and support.

"During these difficult times our family wants you to try and find the love and peace of the Holiday season ..try to find the silver lining... And believe!!” the Acciavatti Family wrote.

"So sorry for your loss. Thank God everyone is safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with you," the Billotte Family said.

The team that created the fundraising page, consisting of Kirk Porter, Francesca Samuelson and Kristina Hess, offered a few thoughts on the family and their home:

"Kellie and Sam unfortunately cannot be there with their family at this time, as they are living in Santa Monica, however, Abbie is home with her parents, safe and sound thankfully. As many of you may or may not know, the Ford home was help built by Habitat for Humanity years ago and has served as a loving home to many visitors and friends throughout the years. Our hearts are breaking with the Ford family. Any donation of clothing, household items, monetary offerings, or condolences alone would be greatly appreciated."

Read more about the family and donate at https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/qmj3/ford-family-home-fire-fund


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