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Support Lana & Kevin's Recovery from Fire Loss

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For Kevin & I, Saturday, June 21st, 2025 is a day we will never forget.

We were 40 miles from our home in Scotch Plains and enjoying ourselves at the Budd Lake Swedish Midsommar Festival when Kevin’s phone rang at approximately 12:30 PM. All I could hear on the other end of the line was “Your house is currently on fire.” Neither Kevin or I knew how to react to such sudden news. All we could think was “Where are the cats?!”

We rushed back home as quickly as possible to see the Scotch Plains Fire Department, as well as friends, neighbors, and family, containing the scene of the fire. As luck would have it, the Scotch Plains Fire Department was only a few blocks away at a parade and got to the house with incredible timing, with everyone else arriving shortly after. Our two boys, Siggy & Roy, were safe with friends and neighbors, but Emma ran off as soon as the firefighters got the door pried open and didn’t return until hours later, giving us quite a scare. Thankfully, all three of our cats are fine and healing from this, just as we are.

Needless to say, Kevin and I were relieved to have our cats back in one piece, but the house itself is a total loss. While the fire only burned for about 10-20 minutes, that was all it took. Our clothes, furniture, appliances, as well as some precious family heirlooms were all destroyed. As luck would have it, most of Kevin’s office survived, but that’s it, everything else is gone.

We are currently staying with Kevin’s family and very grateful for their hospitality and support. We are working with our insurance company to provide us with temporary housing while we figure out what will happen with our home. It is our hope that the structure is salvageable and we can rebuild it in the neighborhood we’ve come to know and love, but only time will tell.

In the mean time, we reluctantly set up this page for assistance. Regardless of whether you’re able to contribute financially, physically, or emotionally, we are forever grateful. While the situation itself is tragic, we remain optimistic thanks to the kindness, care, and compassion shown by our community of neighbors, friends, and loved ones. Words cannot express how grateful we are in knowing we are not alone during this difficult time.

All of the current extra expenses are unexpected and have accumulated quickly.
We intend to use these funds to help us rebuild, and to replace some of the things that we have lost.

Our Deepest Gratitude and Thanks,
Lana & Kevin
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    Co-organizers (2)

    Ster Ikhilevskaya
    Organizer
    Scotch Plains, NJ
    Kevin McConnell
    Co-organizer

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