Matthew Murphy is heartened by the goodwill and the donations that have been piling up to help his young family rebound from a devastating fire in Charlottetown last week.
In answer to his mother’s plea to the public for assistance, Islanders have boxed, bagged and cradled in their arms heaps of items from their own home to help the Murphys get back on their feet.
“I’m stunned and so very, very grateful,’’ Murphy told The Guardian Tuesday, eight days after fire sent his wife, Karol, fleeing from their Walthen Drive apartment with the couple’s 16-month-old son William.
“The amount of support and outreach from the community has just been really amazing.’’
Elaine Murphy’s heartfelt plea for help resulted in a parade of generosity to the front door of her apartment.
Today, she is sharing space in her small dwelling with heaps of handouts from caring Islanders. Boxes and bins filled with toys, clothes and diapers, among numerous other offerings, filled a large storage space.
She fielded close to three-dozen calls the day The Guardian ran an article highlighting the concern she has for her son Matthew, daughter-in-law Karol and grandson William.
“I’m stunned and so very, very grateful.’’ - Elaine Murphy
Some called with offers to donate large items that are expensive to replace like beds, television sets and in one instance a maple wood table.
“Our caring community extends across the Island and people really do care,’’ said Elaine.
“Maybe this is a new start for them and they will be able to put all this behind them.’’
Matthew, 31, says OLS — the company he works for - has been “really, really good’’ to him with financial assistance and time off to get his life back in order.
Matthew and his family are living with friends in Cornwall while they look at options for a permanent residence.
“My main concern is making sure my family has a stable roof over their head,’’ he said.
However, he is also concerned for the well being of his former neighbours at the 16-unit building at 83 Walthen Dr. who have been displaced by the fire and left in need of assistance. Eight tenants received some assistance from the Canadian Red Cross, including lodgng, food and clothing.
Yes, what about my son Mark and his room-mate who were left searching for somewhere to go, my son is with me and my husband right now because of the fire , he is finding it hard also with getting by.It was an unfortunate incident , thank god it wasn't late at night while everyone was sleeping , could have been much worse.