Weeks after the Piotrowski family lost virtually everything, including their cat, in a fire Thanksgiving weekend, the Wood Dale family has witnessed the generosity of the community.
Local residents have rallied around the family, offering shelter, clothing, household goods and financial support.
At the Suburban Bank and Trust Co. a fund was established for the family, said Phillip Suarez, bank vice president. More than $4,500 has been raised from donations, including $1,000 from the Wood Dale Lions Club, he said.
Holy Ghost Catholic Church and School did their part by turning the annual Women’s Council dinner into a baby shower for Deborah Piotrowski, who is seven months’ pregnant, and her husband, Darek Piotrowski. The school also is providing the family with items on its gift wish list for Christmas.
All the contributions have shocked the Piotrowskis and left them grateful that they are surrounded by such giving people.
The couple and their two sons, Jonathan, 9, and Zachary, 5, were not home Nov. 29 when the fire started in the 50-year-old home they have lived in the past five years.
The blaze has been attributed to a faulty ceiling light.
The fire forced the family to a hotel, but they have moved into a rented home in Itasca.
The Wood Dale Homeowners Association is also among those helping. The organization collected donations for the family during its recent annual Christmas caroling event.
The association usually collects food and monetary donations for a local food pantry this time of year, but association President Dolores Kopp said this year the focus was changed because of the family’s troubles.
Kopp, who lives in the same ward as the Piotrowskis, said neighbors also have donated children’s clothing, maternity clothing and household items.
Ald. Ken Johnson became involved in helping the Piotrowskis by contacting the bank and the Wood Dale Target store, which offered gift certificates for new clothes.
Even the Wood Dale Fire Protection District pitched in by arranging a place for the family to live after the fire, Johnson said.
“This is a good reflection on our city that everyone would come together for a neighbor they didn’t know. It’s neat,” Johnson said.
Accepting the help has been difficult for Darek Piotrowski, who said he prefers giving to receiving help. “I’ve been amazed at how Wood Dale has helped us. It’s touching,” he said.
The boys are adjusting to their new surroundings and despite the move, they still are able to attend Holy Ghost School, Deborah said. But they miss their cat, their trophies and special toys, she said.
Fortunately, their home was insured and the Piotrowskis are planning to rebuild. But Darek Piotrowski pointed out that the insurance money won’t cover all their losses.
It is the items which cannot be replaced, such as photographs, the cradle the boys had slept in and other items that makes the suffering so painful, he said.
“This has made us realize what type of town we live in. Now there is no way I’d want to live anywhere else,” Deborah said. “We made a lot of friends through this and you realize how many care for you.”
