Paul and Judy Nevin's Fire Fund

Paul and Judy Nevin, of Mount Holly, Vermont, just  lost everything when their home burned down on March 15. The fire was a result of the recent severe weather in the area with 60+ inches of snow, some of which plugged their chimney leading to a fire in the attic. The road conditions were so hazardous that the first fire trucks to arrive at the scene slid into a ditch, blocking the road, and prevented five other fire trucks that followed from getting close enough to the house, and so the fire burned unchecked, and with it, everything the Nevins owned. Thankfully they escaped unharmed, but they didn't have time to take even a winter jacket with them.




The Nevins are long-time residents of the Town of Mount Holly, Vermont, where they have been generous and active members of their community. Paul served many years as a Town Selectman and they both worked for many years as beloved local teachers, touching and helping to shape the lives of hundreds of students. Judy was a third grade teacher in the Mount Holly grade school, and Paul initially taught at the Plymouth school, and later at the Springfield Junior High school.  They have always been a positive influence in the community, contributing time as chaperones at local school dances, and leading school ski trips, as well as being active members of local organizations, such as the Mount Holly Historical Society.  Their lives and generosity have touched many who live in and around Mount Holly, as well as those that visit Lake Ninevah from afar.  They have always been there to help others, from offering carpentry advice, to checking on a neighbors home on cold winter night, to towing a friend's car from a snowy ditch. 

Their fire insurance will not cover everything they need to put their lives back together.  They were not able to save even a cell phone or winter clothing. While generous neighbors have offered shelter for a while, they need clothing, housing, and help to start the rebuilding process. At an age when most folks would be enjoying retirement, Judy and Paul are starting over from square one. Please, let's all pitch in a little to help them in this difficult time.


PFAQs  (predicted frequently asked questions)

Who is the Organizer?
I live in Somerville, MA, but my parents (Margaret and Sam Fogel) have had a home down the road from the Nevins for the last 50 years, and when I heard from my parents and Dave Venter about the fire, I offerred to set up the fund-raising campaing with my modest internet skills...

Why use GoFundMe? And what happens to the money?
GoFundMe seemed to be the best option for internet fund raising. They have no "platform" fee so all of the money, minus the internet credit card processing fee (2.9%), goes to the Nevins directly (by comparison, many other sites including Facebook itself, charge an additional 5-7% fee).  The money can be almost immediately withdrawn by the Nevins for use now as the campaing continues. I looked at all the other top sites for fund-raising, and this seemed to be the best, safest, and most well-established. I think the ease of use makes this worth while for coordinating the monetary help of a large group of friends/family/community members. 

Thanks Everyone!