Bates House Fire

New Lebanon fire displaces two people

My name is Bruce Bates Jr. (the son)

Bruce and Josie (the parents) are long-withstanding members of the New Lebanon community and long-withstanding Christian members of The Church of our Savior in New Lebanon NY.

Over the years my parents have allowed many younger members of the community to stay at their home when they needed by taking in teens struggling with life's issues and with no place else to go, from as far back as the early 1990s.

Their house has always been a safe haven for anyone who needed it and many times growing up people would show up in the middle of the night to find an unlocked door and a couch or bed to sleep on.

They raised both myself and my sister, Starlete, in that home. They also raised both of my children Gavin and Darian, from the ages of 5 until adulthood when both Rachel and myself were struggling with various issues in life.

My mother had also run the former Josie's Painting from that home and provided many younger members of the community just starting out in life with employment.

They have always been there to silently support others in the community and have never asked anyone for anything in return, nor would they.

On the morning of February 11, 2023 my parents went out to breakfast and for a trip to walmart. During that time something, still being investigated, caused a fire to start in what appears to be the downstairs kitchen.

A passerby saw it from the road and reported it to the fire department. My aunt Roxann learned of the incident and contacted my sister who tracked down my parents.

The house was lost as well as everything that my parents as well as Rachel and Rob, who were living with them at the time, owned.

All heirlooms, clothing, food, everything except the clothes they were wearing and their automobiles were lost in the fire. The fire engulfed both the top and bottom floors of their home and eventually caused the roof to cave in.

My parents need the help of the community, and anyone else who can help, to come together and provide assistance.

I have created this fund for them to help them get the assistance they so desperately need right now.

Funds will be used for replacing clothing, providing them with food, proving them a place to stay and everything else they need in these times.

I hope you will find it in your heart to donate what you can in these trying times.