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Help Whitey and Sons Rise From The Ashes - Hanover

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Rising from the Ashes - Hanover MA House Fire

GoFundMe started for Hanover family reeling from five-alarm fire


Help Whitey and his sons get a new home


Help "Whitey" (Frank Correira) and his sons get back on their feet.

Who I am - My name is Marlisa Clapp and I have been friends with Whitey and his son Jay for about 20 years. Our relationship is he is like an adopted father or uncle figure in my life. I am from the south shore raised in Cohasset and then living long time in Marshfield I now split my time between Duxbury and Maine. 

Why I feel so strong about helping him? He is a quirky eccentric character that not every one understands but he has a good heart. I once lost my house of 10 years during cancer battle and these two men moved my entire house and have stored all my cherished belongings for approximately 10 years. So the man who helped me save my home now lost his and I want to give back - pay it forward.

The Story:
Sadly last evening my dear & special friend lost everything, to a horrendous 5-alarm fire in Hanover, MA.  He and his sons have nowhere to live.  At 88 years young he needs to rebuild his life and get a place to live.  On the phone today he said, “All I have is the shirt on my back and my honda.”

Recently Whitey has been supporting and taking care of one son who has serious health problems.  He was slowly recovering when involved in a life threatening head on car crash.  This caused broken ribs, a punctured lung and the need for a hip replacement.

Whitey is Hanover’s talented restorer and builder of various types of horse drawn buggies from sleighs stage coaches to a hearse.  He is one of the few craftsman in America who can build or restore these vehicles meticulously. Recently he resorted Hanover's first fire wagon. The fire destroyed his tools, machines, stock and collections – his means to make a living.  At 88 getting a job and restarting is more than difficult. 

Article about Whitey restoring Hanover's First FIre Wagon > 

No Insurance - Part of the reason I put a large number is he had no insurance for building or his home contents. The damage is estimated to be around $400,000. per article in Hanover Mariner.

On the South Shore Whitey is kind of a legend as he visits different restaurants each night of the week.  He loves to tell jokes, laugh and cheer people up.

He is the kind of man who has helped many including myself and now it is our turn to help him.  Any amount helps.  Can you imagine loosing everything you worked your whole life for?

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HOW I PLAN TO USE THE MONEY

This is all very new so I will do my best to explain my plans and will update with more detail as the days pass. I had no idea what amount of money to ask for not knowing the full need yet so I just set it high to not limit it. In addition he did not have insurance. His age is huge factor in this. A younger person could work and get back on feet, get loans etc. Also he lost his ability to have an income loosing all his tools and workshop. So at 88, loosing part of income and taking care of another disabled man I feel there will be need. 

Emergency Phase - The first step is to support them during the Emergency phase. They can't be successful in the long run if they do not get thru emergency phase. The Red Cross donated $ for hotel for first nights. We may need to use some of this money for hotel rooms until the home is ready in a week or so.

Clothes - I am trying to get donations but if necessary may use some $ to buy clothes. They all left with only the clothes they were wearing. 

House Items - Whenever possible I want to get as much donated as I can.  When the rental is available some basics will be needed right away such a beds, mattresses, bedding, table, chairs, lights and kitchen supplies.  These may need to be purchased hopefully from second hand sources.

Fund Raiser - The community wants to have a traditional fund raiser. I am hoping every thing is donated. However, if some thing is needed to pull that off we may use a small portion only if absolutely necessary.

Rent -UPDATE Feb. 2 Whitey and  I have decided we will uses some of this money to pay for 2-3 months rent so he does not need to worry about that for a while. 

Tools - Its a huge task to clean up what's left. He may need tools for that. 

Cleaning property - A lot of work need to be done to clean the property.

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HOW I WILL DECIDE WHAT IT IS USED FOR

My Experience - I think I do very well in crisis to decide the best choices and priorities and what is most needed a. I have experience doing this. I also have experience managing large budgets from corporate world. I am very good with finances. I also plan to have a team that guides me and I can ask for feedback. If you want to reach out to me please do.

Ask Donors  - A lot of the plan on how to use $ depends on how much is raised. I will update here often. I will also reach out to the high donors as I did this morning to run things by them and ask advice to be sure I make best use of money. I am available for questions and to take suggestions. 

Ask Whitey  - I will communicate with Whitey on all decisions I make.

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HOW I INTEND TO WITHDRAW MONEY

I plan to set up an account at a local Hanover MA bank. This will be set up very professional and have a name on account that includes that it is for Helping the Correira's. I will get a debt card and use for things I need to pay. There will be a very clear transparent record of how the $ is used. I will communicate with Whitey and Jay on all decisions I make. I am working as a team with other friends and family on making decisions. My hope is once thru the emergency phase that there will be an amount I can write check for and give to the family. 

Today I called Dave who gave the highest donation to get his opinion. He helped me decide hotel is priority now. I plan to spend some money asap on hotel room since the bank account is not set up I will need to do that another way perhaps thru my own bank just this one time.

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Update 02/02/20

EVENTS/FUNDRAISERS


1)  THE BIG EVENT I am grateful for events like the above. We will have one large event end of Feb. I am hoping organizations like legion, horse groups etc can all join in with me for one big spectacular event. Tentatively I am looking at Friday March 20 picking dates the fireman that fought the fire are off work and can attend. I need a lot of help and donations for this event and will continue to update my list of needs. Last eve I had pleasure of meeting Rick and Fern Langella. Rick has offered to be our auctioneer. Yipee. Thank you.

UPDATES 

List of Needed Items PDF > 

 

2/2 - Tonight Whitey and Frank Jr will stay in house for first time.  It is coming along well and soon I will post photos.

1/27 - WE GOT A HOUSE - A House has been found for them to rent.

 

WHAT IS NEEDED NOW

GIFT CARDS - Food stores, Walmart, Target, Marshalls, TJ MAx, Home Depot, Loews .... For Food, Clothes, personal items, tools, and household items not donated. 

FUNDRAISER HELP & DONATIONS - I need donations for a fundraiser. I need a place,  food,  entertainment, items to auction off... please call, text, and/or email me. 

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CHANNEL 5 NEWS STORY

Last SUnday I got channel 5 news to do story and mention the GoFundMe page:

CHANNEL 5 VIDEO 1/26 11PM NEWS > 


PREVIOUS NEWS STORIES

Fire Destroys Industrial Building in Hanover > 

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NEWS ARTICLES 


https://959watd.com/blog/2020/01/hanover-winter-st-fire-mostly-knocked-down/ 

https://patch.com/massachusetts/weymouth/hanover-fire-winter-street-reaches-5th-alarm 

https://www.patriotledger.com/news/20200124/hanover-neighborhood-rocked-by-explosions-amid-5-alarm-fire 

 

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Donations 

  • michael & Bess loring
    • $200 
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer

Marlisa Clapp
Organizer
Hanover, MA

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