Hi, my name is Courtney Beirne and after learning my dear friends, Loretta "Cookie" Dennis and Jacqueline Charlot, lost their apartment from the deadly Bronx Fire on January 9, 2022, I knew we needed to support them to rebuild their lives. We are so lucky that they survived with minimal injuries.

 

Jackie and I spoke about their experience waiting in the apartment to be saved. She spoke about a firefighter coming to their door and feeling relief that they were finally going to be saved. The firefighter realized Cookie and Jackie could still breathe. He spoke with them and then left them in their apartment to help others who were in a worse condition and dying. Jackie cried and grabbed onto the firefighter's arm not wanting to be left, sure she would die there. She thought their lives were over. The firefighter said that someone would be back for them and luckily, he kept his promise. Cookie and Jackie were saved.

 

However, their apartment can't be saved. Cookie has lived in her apartment for 27 years and lost everything. The memories and horror of that day will be everlasting, but I hope we can help to ease some of their transition back to normalcy.

 

Both Cookie (age 72) and Jackie (age 71) are retired and will need to find a new place to live, replace their furniture, clothing, and all other essentials.

 

We can't take away the pain from January 9, but I hope we can make the days going forward a little less dark. Any contributions you can make are much appreciated.

 

(You can see Jackie tell a little bit about her experience in the news report below at 4:18 and 6:07)

 

Jackie and I met in 2006 at the SUNY Brooklyn Educational Center when I was an intern in social work school and then I worked there for 7 years until 2015. Jackie was always a trusted friend and colleague. I now live in California, but Jackie will always be a part of my NYC family.