Phyllis Fire Fund
Donation protected
Sunday morning, January 15th we received the news that there had been a fire at our building. It's taken us some time to even comprehend the level of damage and the trauma of learning it was no accident but also a homicide. While our hearts break for Amy and we hope justice will be served swiftly, the reality that we've lost our places of work is starting to set in now too...
http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jan/17/deadly-fourth-plain-strip-mall-fire-started-in-market/
The convenience store, the barber, and the groomer were completely destroyed by fire. Our pet supply store is considered a total loss due to smoke and water damage. The entire strip mall building is totaled.
Phyllis the groomer worked at Best Friends Dog Grooming next door to my own store. She's been a stalwart support of my fledging business and we became friends. Phyllis was already in the uphill battle of rebuilding her life after some financial setbacks. She is currently living in a motorhome and keeping it from freezing over with the snow and ice was costing a small fortune. The inclement weather also meant grooming appointments canceled and she had days without work for an additional financial blow to her before this tragic fire. Additionally heart wrenching, Phyllis knew the Amy (the woman killed) so she’s mourning for a friend as well as the loss of her job, and the 7 birds and two cats who also lost their lives at the groom shop.
Phyllis is not covered under unemployment insurance. Her tools that were lost in the fire were not insured either (dog groomers typically bring their own tools when they get hired on). It is unknown when Best Friends Dog Grooming can reopen in a new location so Phyllis can continue to work there. She's a great groomer with decades of experience...with replacement tools in hand she'll be hirable elsewhere if Sue cannot reopen before Phyllis is forced to look for work elsewhere to keep the lights and heat on.
It's impossible to put an accurate estimate on the magnitude of her financial needs or even know the length of time it will be until she can return to full-time employment, but people have been asking me how to help, and I know the $1,500 will be a head start. Anything raised above the goal will help her get her beloved 13-year-old Bullmastiff home too (currently Honeydew is living with Phyllis' ex).
http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/jan/17/deadly-fourth-plain-strip-mall-fire-started-in-market/
The convenience store, the barber, and the groomer were completely destroyed by fire. Our pet supply store is considered a total loss due to smoke and water damage. The entire strip mall building is totaled.
Phyllis the groomer worked at Best Friends Dog Grooming next door to my own store. She's been a stalwart support of my fledging business and we became friends. Phyllis was already in the uphill battle of rebuilding her life after some financial setbacks. She is currently living in a motorhome and keeping it from freezing over with the snow and ice was costing a small fortune. The inclement weather also meant grooming appointments canceled and she had days without work for an additional financial blow to her before this tragic fire. Additionally heart wrenching, Phyllis knew the Amy (the woman killed) so she’s mourning for a friend as well as the loss of her job, and the 7 birds and two cats who also lost their lives at the groom shop.
Phyllis is not covered under unemployment insurance. Her tools that were lost in the fire were not insured either (dog groomers typically bring their own tools when they get hired on). It is unknown when Best Friends Dog Grooming can reopen in a new location so Phyllis can continue to work there. She's a great groomer with decades of experience...with replacement tools in hand she'll be hirable elsewhere if Sue cannot reopen before Phyllis is forced to look for work elsewhere to keep the lights and heat on.
It's impossible to put an accurate estimate on the magnitude of her financial needs or even know the length of time it will be until she can return to full-time employment, but people have been asking me how to help, and I know the $1,500 will be a head start. Anything raised above the goal will help her get her beloved 13-year-old Bullmastiff home too (currently Honeydew is living with Phyllis' ex).
Organizer and beneficiary
Katrina Taylor
Organizer
Vancouver, WA
Phillis Mcdowell
Beneficiary
