Please help Phil and Elaine smile again

---------  Important Update --------
Contrary to what the "Team Fundraiser" banner says (..." on behalf of Phil Sherman"), this is for both Phil and Elaine as they try to put their lives back together.  I can't figure out how to change the banner yet to read correctly as "...on behalf of Phil and Elaine Sherman."  Thank you, Richard
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Saturday afternoon March 6 at about 1:30 Phil and Elaine Sherman's home caught fire and burned to the ground.    The almost 200 year old farmhouse they lost was the Sherman family homestead going back three generations.   The cause has been determined by the fire inspector to be due to a chimney fire.  Heavy winds caused the flames to spread rapidly throughout the predominately vintage post and beam wood home.

Fortunately they were not harmed other than Phil's hands and lungs as he tried unsuccessfully to save their belongings. 
Unfortunately their beloved pets Anna the dog and Parker the  cat perished in the fire.
  July 2014
March 6, 2021
Everything was a total loss.
RIP Anna and Parker
Anna, an 8 month old Anatolian shepherd dog
Parker, the cat

This loving home was the source of many, many good memories.
 
By Sierra, Phil's daughter:
"To have our home lost in minutes is devastating beyond words but it is our hope and prayer that we can rebuild a new place to gather together and make more memories. The walls that burned up didn't hold the memories made in them, they just held us all together. It is our hope and prayer that new walls can hold us together once more."

409 Mertz Road, Bainbridge, NY

Sherman family - circa 2001/2002

"When my dad married Elaine back in 1999, friends from our community and church, along with us six kids, worked to expand the farmhouse to accommodate our now large family. Under that roof we became one blended family along with Elaine's two children,  Ariel and Adam.   We hung sheet rock, tiled the bathroom and stapled insulation as family activities. The bonds we built under that roof working and growing together still pull us back home. No matter how old we get or how far we move away, 409 Mertz Road is always home base for our family. There is nothing like coming home."  - Sierra.

Thanksgiving Nov 2017


Please help our dear friends Phil and Elaine anyway you can. Phil and Elaine Sherman

They have so generously given of their time and labor to help us all.  Phil has welded for countless farmers and members in the community for over 30 years. Elaine served on the Bainbridge Jericho arts council for years and has hosted many jam sessions for local musicians in their home. Both are active members of their church congregation.

They really can use your love, any financial help and physical labor to restart with rebuilding on the home site to create another family gathering place.

They have insurance but it will not comes up short in covering current cost to rebuild and furnish.

The goal of $10,000 is just a conservative guess.  The purpose of whatever is donated is to help the Shermans rebuild their lives.

If you are not able to contribute financially, please consider helping with construction or other tasks. We hope to rebuild in the same location.  

IMPORTANT:  Please note that due to immediate hazards, the insurance company strongly discourages any visitors or workers until the site is cleaned up. 

A Facebook page has been setup for you to volunteer and to keep you posted on the progress.

(Click here to volunteer or provide non-monetary support )

"To have our home lost in minutes is devastating beyond words but it is our hope and prayer that we can rebuild a new place to gather together and make more memories. The walls that burned up didn't hold the memories made in them, they just held us all together. It is our hope and prayer that new walls can hold us together once more."  ---  Love from the Sherman family.

Thank you.