
Support Danielle's Family After Devastating Fire
Donation protected
On the morning of June 5th, 2025, this family of four woke up to what they believed to be another normal work day for both parents. Michael was the first to leave the house while Danielle, an EMT employed with Hackensack Meridian Health through JFK Medical Center, began her day, preparing to get both herself and her two daughters ready. While both girls still slept in their beds, Danielle heard the beeping of the smoke detector from another room and smelled something funny. Walking towards the sound of the alarm, she found a fire quickly spreading across her kitchen. Thinking quickly, she managed to call 911 and then got her 1 year old daughter Emma out of the house. Turning around to get 4 year old Eliza proved to be more difficult as the smoke conditions within the house had worsened as the fire spread. Calling on her firefighter training, Danielle managed to reach Eliza and both mom and daughter made it out of the burning house.
From the safety of the road, Danielle phoned Michael to let him know they were safe and watched their home burn with her daughters safe besides her. It was the nightmare that no one ever expects.
Having lost nearly all of their possessions in the fire, initial outreach efforts have helped them with some initial necessities while they stay with near by relatives. This family of four has a long road ahead of them though and are in need of our help. Because space is limited and living arrangements are still uncertain at this time, I am starting this collection for our fellow team member to help alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty that they will face in the weeks to come. Please join me in contributing to their journey forward through donations and sharing their story.
Organizer
Adrienne Merchant
Organizer
Toms River, NJ