Help Will after the apartment fire

Hello, I'm PaTrice.

I'm here to introduce you to Will Schroeder, Air Force Veteran, St. Jude’s fundraising half-marathon runner, and the doting father of my daughter, Ceres. Hopefully, after reading his story, you'll find it in your heart to help get him back on his feet after his apartment and all its contents were destroyed in a kitchen fire.

 

Will is a kind, loving man. In addition to taking care of himself and Ceres, Will is emotionally and financially caring for his mother in Hospice and covering his disabled brother's living expenses until he can secure a spot in a group home. Many people depend on Will.

 

This fire, which is estimated to have caused around $70,000 in damage, has set him back a lot more than just an apartment and clothes. Will's cat, Lucy-fur, and Ceres' fish were lost in the fire. We were also devastated to learn that the only remaining photos of Will's younger brother, Dan Schroeder, who died in a car accident in 2003, were destroyed by the fire.

 

What happened?

It could have happened to any of us.

 

It was around 5pm and Will asked Ceres the ever-present question: What do you want for dinner? Given the options between meatballs and fried chicken, Ceres picked chicken- she loves the crispy texture and it's a Daddy Special!

 

Will set Ceres up to watch a movie and started to prep the food. He then did what all parents do and engaged in the "check on the kid/check on the food" dance.

 

Unfortunately, while checking in on Ceres, the chicken caught fire. When Will got back to the kitchen, smoke was everywhere and the pan was on fire! Will knew he couldn't use water in a grease fire, he knew he had to remove the grease from the heat to stop the fire. In the process of trying to safely remove the flaming pan from the heat source, Will splattered hot oil on himself, the floor, and the cabinets which then caught fire.

 

With a failed attempt to contain the fire and the building and unit alarms sounding, Will knew it was time to get his daughter out of danger. As the apartment was on the first floor and the front exit next to the kitchen, Will lifted Ceres out the window. Realizing it was freezing outside, Will grabbed the comforter and then went out the window himself.

 

Once they were safely outside, Will went back and cracked the back door in hopes Lucy-Fur would escape.

 

As other residents abandoned their apartments. Will and Ceres took shelter from the cold with a neighbor who happened to grab their car keys before evacuating.

 

By the time I arrived fire trucks, police cars, and an ambulance had taken over the parking lot.

 

As I pulled Ceres out of the backseat of the neighbors car, I accidentally brushed Will's arm and he let out a yelp. I drew back and saw his right forearm already covered in huge, weeping blisters. Then I saw his face, coated in black ash. His hair was singed. There were bloody burns on his forehead. As a veteran, Will wanted to go to the VA hospital but it was over 40 minutes away and he needed immediate care.

 

As you know, with COVID, hospitals have been both busy and short staffed. The waiting room at Huntley Hospital was busy that Sunday night but upon seeing his injuries they immediately placed Will in a room. After cutting off his shirt and socks, the second-degree burns on his right forearm, forehead, and left foot were cleaned and covered. He was given oxygen to help with the smoke inhalation. In some spots Will's naturally medium brown hair was burned several shades darker. In other spots the hair was burned off. While his injuries are painful, we are thankful that both Will and Ceres escaped with their lives.

 

 

 

Between the fire, the smoke damage, and the water damage, the apartment and everything in it is lost. The entire apartment building was evacuated and nobody was allowed back in that night. The Red Cross provided shelter and assistance to Will and some of the other displaced residents. Neighbors have generously donated some clothing. It will take time, love, and patience for Ceres and Will to recover from physical and emotional trauma they have experienced. But Will is also in need of financial assistance as he attempts to rebuild his life. The need is especially great as his mother and younger brother continue to depend on him.

Thank you for taking the time to read Will's story. We appreciate any amount you can donate to help get Will back on track.