Help the DeFilippos Rebuild from Yonkers Fire!

ARTICLE: 150 families displaced by massive Yonkers apartment building fire 

Our best friends Caitlin and TJ welcomed twins in July 2018. Connor and Callie DeFilippo immediately displayed their beautiful smiles and happy selves. Sadly, the twins were born very premature and spent their first few weeks at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City facing many challenges. Caitlin and TJ worked extremely hard to make sure Connor and Callie had as much care and attention they needed to grow, stay healthy and thrive. They settled into their new home in  Fall 2018 as a foursome - happy and healthy.

Now, a few weeks shy of the twins' 8-month birthday, their family has lost everything.

On March 12, 2019, a 4-alarm fire broke out at about 6:15 p.m. on the top of the Parkview Avenue building next door to the DeFilippos' apartment at 1 Garrett Place in Bronxville, NY.  The fire quickly spread, the top floor collapsed and the fire ravaged the building's roof. Luckily, upon the sight of firetrucks and smoke, Caitlin acted quickly. She immediately grabbed the twins and carried them out of the building to safety without injury. 

The DeFilippos' apartment (6A) is completely destroyed. They are one of 150 families displaced because of this fire. So many are experiencing intense grief, trauma, loss, and stress of what to do next. Caitlin, TJ, Connor and Callie note they are OK because they are together and they are safe. Yet, the family has a lot of immediate needs to help them rebuild and get back everything for which they have worked so hard. 

While consumed with being focused on what is directly in front of them, any bit of relief you can offer is greatly appreciated. In these first days, we are working hard to get the DeFilippos funds for immediate needs: toiletries, diapers, strollers, car seats, formula, bottles, blankets, clothes and so much more. Meanwhile, Caitlin & TJ are working through apartment listings and assistance will help them with deposits to secure a new home for them to recover and move forward. 

Again, thank you for any assistance you are able to offer this amazing family in their great time of need after enduring months of difficult trials. 

(I will provide updates on our campaign and also how the family is doing here! Thank you again and please share widely with your communities & networks!)

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***MARCH 13 - LATEST UPDATE***

Everyone has been AMAZING! We have seen so much love and support come in. We reached our original goal in just the first day!

Caitlin, TJ, and the babies remain together and safe. TJ & Caitlin spent the day at their apartment building talking to the Fire Department and their building owners. They are connecting with their neighbors about next steps - but right now there is not much that can happen until the building owners get organized with the incoming inquiries. They remain together as a foursome - staying at Caitlin's parents house in Bronxville.

They are working on putting together their inventory of items; getting their bank statements, credit cards and checks in order; pulling together items for their insurance claim review; searching for a new apartment in their area to set up a home base and also getting new clothes, food for the week, and items for the babies. Every single cent, messages, and pieces of love offered have helped them immensely.

They are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and have had so much pressure, stress, and weight lifted knowing they have this foundation to rebuild! More to come!

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***MARCH 17 - LATEST UPDATE***

The love and support has been overwhelming! Caitlin & TJ are unaware of this campaign due to their focus on their immediate needs. We, as friends, put it together and we are overjoyed to show them the list of how many people from all over who have come together so quickly and generously to help. 

They have also received an amazing amount of donations! Connor & Callie's necessities are well taken care of thanks to so many people who sent or brought over onesies, socks, bottles, formula, books, blankets and more. We are still receiving requests from so many people on where to send donations and we want to make sure your generosity is shared and received by many more who are in need. 

We want to make sure everyone can connect with a Westchester-local not-for-profit charitable organization, Bundles of Joy New York. Bundles of Joy New York provides essentials to babies, toddlers and new parents in critical need. The organization leverages their community partnerships to help those in low-income or homeless situations throughout the county.

The organization's mission and model notes: "We give new parents and babies from birth to 3 years old the essentials they need to thrive. Becoming a new parent is hard enough, and we want all new parents to have the resources they need to feel prepared. We supply items free of charge through generous donations from our community constituents. By providing babies and their parents with the tools necessary to thrive, we are building confidence that lasts a lifetime. Bundles of Joy collects new and “nearly new” items through grassroots community drives and corporate donations. Donations are then sorted, bundled and delivered to disadvantaged children through our network of social service agencies, shelters, hospitals and school partners."

How You Can Help: 

 If you have items ready to donate - please review this list and connect with Executive Director, Adrienne Harper, directly at: [email redacted].
A full list of items to donate is included here: http://www.bundlesofjoyny.org/donate. This list also includes a guideline for donating items. 
Please consider purchasing high priority items from a registry they have listed on Amazon here: http://www.bundlesofjoyny.org/how-to-donate. 

Bundles of Joy New York also receives items at the Bronxville Public Library! So please consider dropping off donations there!

One of the most helpful things you can do is share this information on all of your platforms with all of your networks. There are so many in need and would benefit from event the smallest donation. Connect with Bundles of Joy New York on Instagram & Facebook: @bundlesofjoyNY. Also be sure to visit their site to learn more about their amazing work at www.bundlesofjoyNY.org.

Also - continue to check in for updates here and on a site we created to capture all information and updates: https://defilippofamilyfirerecoverynetwork.com/. 

Lastly, THANK YOU! All of the support given - from donations to a text checking in - have helped the family's spirits so much. We appreciate all of you.