We want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts. Thanks to Dundee, Penn Yan, Himrod, and Wayne Fire Departments; Dundee Ambulance Crew; and most of all the Yates County Chapter of the American Red Cross, who all responded so quickly to our house fire on Friday, Nov. 23, 2007 in Barrington. The Red Cross was outstanding for getting us in a motel and taking care of our personal essentials so soon after the fire. The wonderful place I work at, Keuka College, put us up in one of their rental properties, Ball Cottage, for several months until we got re-established with a new home and back on our feet.
As we were trying to move forward, everyone was coming forward with donations of money, clothing, personal items, blankets, food, and more. Keuka College Chaplain Jeff Falter and Community Service Coordinator Shelby Harvey coordinated a campus-wide e-mail informing students, staff, and faculty of our needs.
Pastor Gerald Vanaman at the Barrington Community Church took up a collection of money and let us help ourselves to the church’s food pantry, along with finding us furniture and storing the items at the church until we got back home. My husband’s place of work, Arkport Cycle, took up a donation for money also. His boss, John Jamison, came over to help us clean up and assist with putting down a concrete pad for the new trailer. Our families were right besides us with clothes and they will be helping us replace pictures we have lost. Our neighbors and friends have been overwhelming with donations and all their help to get us re-established again. We are so glad to be home again. It has been a tragedy and a trial that God has put us through. We have enough faith and trust in God that we knew it would be just a matter of time.
Without the Keuka College family, Sodexo, Arkport Cycle, neighbors, students, friends, Barrington Community Church, and our families with all their support and help, we could not have done it. Everyone has been very helpful and we just don’t know how to thank all of you. This has been very overwhelming and we appreciate everyone for what you have done. Thank you from the very bottom of our hearts!
God Bless you all.
-- Carolyn and Corky Shaver
