Amptmeyer Family House Fire
Donation protected
Jessica is one of my clients at the salon, and her daughter cheers at ICE Allstars where I also coach cheerleading part-time.
Please Donate if you can, this is an amazing family and they could really use the help.
On Thursday, 6/14/18 at 730am, a passerby on State road IN-130 noticed smoke coming from a house, but didn't see or hear any sign of 911 first responders. After approaching the house, he noticed that the garage was in flames, so he began knocking on doors and windows to get any people or pets out of the house. Jessica and Dominic were at work in East Chicago, IN at the time. Audrey was asleep upstairs on a couch that shares a wall with the garage. Gavin was asleep downstairs on a bed that was only a few feet from the garage wall. The passerby was able to wake Gavin up and help get Audrey, the three dogs, and a guinea pig out of the house. The garage was fully engulfed. During this process, a few more passersby showed up to help out.
The fire continued into the house before it was put out. The smoke took a toll on the remainder of the house. Some clothes, including Audrey's cheer uniform could not be professionally cleaned, although it was nowhere near the fire.
After numerous phone calls and meetings with insurance reps, investigators, cleaning companies, etc, all contents were deemed a "total loss". 3/4 of the structure will require rebuild, estimated well over $100k with of repair. This will take 6 months to a year before the house is livable. The insurance company is working on a short term house rental agreement for their family in Valparaiso.
We are extremely grateful for those that took it upon themselves to initiate the 911 call and make sure everyone was out of the house. Things can be replaced, but family members cannot. In addition, neighbors and friends have shown a great deal of hospitality. This process will continue to be an enormous amount of work, but it is uplifting to see so many generous people rally behind this amazing family.
Gavin (Age 17)
Audrey (Age 11)
Yzerman (Boxer Dog, Age 2)
Midas (Boxer Dog, Age 1)
Daisy (Chihuahua Dog, Age 11)
Charlie (Guinea Pig, Age 1)
Organizer and beneficiary
Marissa Gianpicolo
Organizer
Valparaiso, IN
Jessica Jenkins
Beneficiary