Kivowitz & Blackstock Fire Recovery
Donation protected
I am writing this on behalf of my best friend, Elizabeth Kivowitz and her family, who I consider my family as well.
On Saturday, May 14th while they were away camping, the family home of Sally Baker Kivowitz, in which lived her youngest daughter, Elizabeth Kivowitz and her family, Oliver Blackstock III, their 3 children, and a family friend tragically caught on fire and everything was lost. Nothing could be saved and the only thing they have left is the clothes that were on their backs. We are seeking donations in any amount to help them get back on their feet.
Sally has always been a longtime helper, lending a hand, and even a place to stay to anyone in need. Countless homeless teens and folks in transition have stayed in this house over the years. Everyone was welcome at the home for barbecues and gatherings. Her entire retirement plan was wrapped up in this house. She has been a school teacher and special needs educator for the physically and developmentally challenged her whole life and as a teacher, she was never rich in money, and she was woefully underinsured.
On Saturday May 14, 2016, the family home of Sally Baker Kivowitz, in which lived her youngest daughter Elizabeth Kivowitz with her family of Oliver Blackstock III and their three beautiful children was completely lost to a tragic fire. This childhood home of Phat Man Dee, Tom Kivowitz and their littlest sister Elizabeth is gone forever. Thank the powers that be that the family was out at Pymatuning camping at their friend's cabin. The Lord and all His angels were looking out for the children, who normally would be home on a Saturday night, and the whole family survived. However, they lost absolutely everything, the beds, the clothes, the food, the tv, the computers, they have the clothes on their backs and most importantly, their lives.
If you ever met Elizabeth and Oliver, the most recent inhabitants of the home, you know that they absolutely carry on Miss Sally’s traditions of help, compassion and hospitality. Elizabeth and her sister Mandee and their creative friends in the performance and art community of Pittsburgh have hosted more than several dozen charitable events in the past for people in need. They have hosted events at Shadow Lounge, Lava Lounge, Altar Bar, LOCAL 412, and countless other venues in Pittsburgh to aid victims of floods, hurricanes, earthquakes in New Orleans, Haiti, Japan, as well as friends in need closer to home, local artists needing health care, local homeless shelters like Duncan and Porter House, local environmental and social justice activist movements as well as local music schools like the Afro American Music Institute.
Oliver recently landed a job in his field of computer programming and they were just starting to become stable. Elizabeth is a manager of seeral local artists, event producer and Uber driver. They had no rental insurance, because they were just trying to keep the bills paid and food on the table. They are both extremely present and amazing parents.
Their three children are smart and caring. Their oldest is bound to study abroad in Japan this summer. Their middle boy is a burgeoning writer and visual artist. Their youngest daughter is studying to be a dancer and musician. They all are high honors students who work hard and we are so thankful and feeling so amazingly blessed that they were not home when this fire struck.
Thank you for support in any amount. It is really hard for Elizabeth and Oliver and Miss Sally to ask for help, as they are usually the ones doing the helping. Let’s show them how much their love and generosity and support have meant to us all over the years.
On Saturday, May 14th while they were away camping, the family home of Sally Baker Kivowitz, in which lived her youngest daughter, Elizabeth Kivowitz and her family, Oliver Blackstock III, their 3 children, and a family friend tragically caught on fire and everything was lost. Nothing could be saved and the only thing they have left is the clothes that were on their backs. We are seeking donations in any amount to help them get back on their feet.
Sally has always been a longtime helper, lending a hand, and even a place to stay to anyone in need. Countless homeless teens and folks in transition have stayed in this house over the years. Everyone was welcome at the home for barbecues and gatherings. Her entire retirement plan was wrapped up in this house. She has been a school teacher and special needs educator for the physically and developmentally challenged her whole life and as a teacher, she was never rich in money, and she was woefully underinsured.
On Saturday May 14, 2016, the family home of Sally Baker Kivowitz, in which lived her youngest daughter Elizabeth Kivowitz with her family of Oliver Blackstock III and their three beautiful children was completely lost to a tragic fire. This childhood home of Phat Man Dee, Tom Kivowitz and their littlest sister Elizabeth is gone forever. Thank the powers that be that the family was out at Pymatuning camping at their friend's cabin. The Lord and all His angels were looking out for the children, who normally would be home on a Saturday night, and the whole family survived. However, they lost absolutely everything, the beds, the clothes, the food, the tv, the computers, they have the clothes on their backs and most importantly, their lives.
If you ever met Elizabeth and Oliver, the most recent inhabitants of the home, you know that they absolutely carry on Miss Sally’s traditions of help, compassion and hospitality. Elizabeth and her sister Mandee and their creative friends in the performance and art community of Pittsburgh have hosted more than several dozen charitable events in the past for people in need. They have hosted events at Shadow Lounge, Lava Lounge, Altar Bar, LOCAL 412, and countless other venues in Pittsburgh to aid victims of floods, hurricanes, earthquakes in New Orleans, Haiti, Japan, as well as friends in need closer to home, local artists needing health care, local homeless shelters like Duncan and Porter House, local environmental and social justice activist movements as well as local music schools like the Afro American Music Institute.
Oliver recently landed a job in his field of computer programming and they were just starting to become stable. Elizabeth is a manager of seeral local artists, event producer and Uber driver. They had no rental insurance, because they were just trying to keep the bills paid and food on the table. They are both extremely present and amazing parents.
Their three children are smart and caring. Their oldest is bound to study abroad in Japan this summer. Their middle boy is a burgeoning writer and visual artist. Their youngest daughter is studying to be a dancer and musician. They all are high honors students who work hard and we are so thankful and feeling so amazingly blessed that they were not home when this fire struck.
Thank you for support in any amount. It is really hard for Elizabeth and Oliver and Miss Sally to ask for help, as they are usually the ones doing the helping. Let’s show them how much their love and generosity and support have meant to us all over the years.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amber Epps
Organizer
Pittsburgh, PA
Elizabeth Kivowitz
Beneficiary
