Fundraising continues as donations to GoFundMe and local accounts total more than $250,000 in support of the families affected by last week’s fatal fire in Jeannette.
Organizers of Monday’s fundraiser at the American Legion in Jeannette said they expect the total donated to surpass $18,000.
Volunteer Michelle Langdon said that estimate includes all of the ways donations were made, including a 50-50 raffle and bar tips.
Elliott Federal Credit Union reported on its social media page Tuesday that donations to a fund there have totaled more than $110,000. Those amounts are in addition to $104,000 that has been donated on a GoFundMe page for the family.
Killed in the March 20 fire on Guy Street were Kyson John, 7; Kinzleigh John, 6; Keagan John, 3; and Korbyn John, 1 month — and their father Tyler J. King, 27. Two children, ages 10 and 1, and Miranda John, the mother of the children, escaped the blaze that destroyed their home.
State police are investigating.
Checks can be made payable to the credit union with “Jeannette Area Disaster Fund” written in the memo line. The credit union has locations across the county, including: 920 N. 4th Street in Jeannette, 100 Lewis Ave. in Hempfield, 631 N. Main Street in Greensburg.
A neighboring home also was destroyed. A second GoFundMe account for that family has raised more than $20,000.
Other community efforts include:
• Z&M Harley-Davidson, 6130 Route 30, Greensburg, will host a Bike Show benefit to support the John family from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 6. There will be fundraising raffles, food trucks and a DJ.
• Ketter’s Restaurant and Catering, 221 S. 4th Street, is collecting monetary and clothing donations, said store manager Chrissy Shank. Household items and gift cards also will be accepted.
• Free-Op Community Store, a pay-what-you-can store featuring clothing, toys, household items and decor, donated clothing to Miranda John’s family, said owner Madison Feidner.
• Peinetti’s Bakery, 512 Clay Ave., is collecting clothing, toys and household items such as laundry detergent and soap. Store owner Jennifer Toughlian is amazed by the way the community has come together to support the family.
Renatta Signorini is a TribLive reporter covering breaking news, crime, courts and Jeannette. She has been working at the Trib since 2005. She can be reached at rsignorini@triblive.com.