Santa loses everything in fire
Donation protected
Fire At Storage Unit Facility
Destroys Gifts Belonging To "Big Blue Santa"
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (LEX 18)-- An early morning fire at a storage unit affected several storage units, including one belonging to a local "Santa Claus."
The fire broke out around 6 a.m. at a location off Gilbert Avenue in Georgetown. Crews managed to keep the fire contained to one row of units, unfortunately, most of those were damaged or destroyed.
One of those storage lockers belonged to "Big Blue Santa," a local man named Bill Bryant who collects toys for children in need. He told LEX 18 that he stored all of his toys and sleigh in the unit and all of it was destroyed.
"All of the toys I have been collecting over the last several years were stored in this unit. The one of a kind Santa chair made by Todd Garvin was stored here. Items and decorations used for my annual charity Breakfast With Santa were stored here. And my beautiful sleigh that Dwayne Holder and I worked on for four years was stored here as well. It appears that it is a total loss," Bryant wrote in a post on social media.
Santa Bill told me, "As heart breaking as it is to lose my irreplaceable sleigh and throne chair the worst part is losing all of the toys that we collect for families in need. Presents are given to children not just at Christmas but throughout the year when a family is in need. Like after a tragic event such as the death of a bread winner, fire or catastrophic illness. I don't know how I'm gonna help those families now."
In Santa's moment of grief, all who love Christmas, must come together and let Santa Bill know that we are standing by his side, sharing his grief and ready to offer comfort in his hour of need.
While we can't replace what was, we can provide him the funds to purchase new toys and to rebuild the sleigh and throne chair. Together we can do much! Please send your contributions be they small or large, certainly from the heart. Let's help Santa, help others!
Destroys Gifts Belonging To "Big Blue Santa"
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (LEX 18)-- An early morning fire at a storage unit affected several storage units, including one belonging to a local "Santa Claus."
The fire broke out around 6 a.m. at a location off Gilbert Avenue in Georgetown. Crews managed to keep the fire contained to one row of units, unfortunately, most of those were damaged or destroyed.
One of those storage lockers belonged to "Big Blue Santa," a local man named Bill Bryant who collects toys for children in need. He told LEX 18 that he stored all of his toys and sleigh in the unit and all of it was destroyed.
"All of the toys I have been collecting over the last several years were stored in this unit. The one of a kind Santa chair made by Todd Garvin was stored here. Items and decorations used for my annual charity Breakfast With Santa were stored here. And my beautiful sleigh that Dwayne Holder and I worked on for four years was stored here as well. It appears that it is a total loss," Bryant wrote in a post on social media.
Santa Bill told me, "As heart breaking as it is to lose my irreplaceable sleigh and throne chair the worst part is losing all of the toys that we collect for families in need. Presents are given to children not just at Christmas but throughout the year when a family is in need. Like after a tragic event such as the death of a bread winner, fire or catastrophic illness. I don't know how I'm gonna help those families now."
In Santa's moment of grief, all who love Christmas, must come together and let Santa Bill know that we are standing by his side, sharing his grief and ready to offer comfort in his hour of need.
While we can't replace what was, we can provide him the funds to purchase new toys and to rebuild the sleigh and throne chair. Together we can do much! Please send your contributions be they small or large, certainly from the heart. Let's help Santa, help others!
Organizer and beneficiary
Diana Lavelle Trolli
Organizer
Bill Bryant
Beneficiary
