On Monday, Jan. 25 Pure Elements Organic Salon sponsored a fundraiser for a local family displaced by a Jan. 5 fire that caused severe damage to both stories of their house. In total the salon raised $750 to benefit the Skipper family of 37 Park Ave.
Pure Elements was the first to answer the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce’s call for local businesses to help the family. The salon donated all proceeds from services performed between 3 and 7 p.m. on the day of the fundraiser to the Skipper family.
I think it went very well, said Pure Elements owner Kristen Gaffney. `The rain kept some people away, but we will be accepting donations from people who could not make it to the event.`
The salon served 10 clients during the hours of the fundraiser. In addition to the money raised through the salon services, donations were also accepted by volunteers from the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce.
Pizza and soda were donated by Little Caesar’s Pizza.
Staffers Kalyn Cosenza, and Kaile Schaap, also donated their time, working on their days off to benefit the family.
`Any little bit helps, whatever we can do to help out the community,` said Cosenza.
Schaap said `Everyone is donating to Haiti, why don’t we help out around here as well?`
Linda Skipper thanked everyone for their help as the family deals with a number of challenges in addition to the fire that consumed portions of their home.
`The outpour has been overwhelming. We’re really thankful for everything, it’s made everything much easier,` said.
Ernest Skipper, the patriarch of the family, has been suffering from a number of illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes. He also must undergo dialysis three times a weak after having a kidney removed as a result of his diabetes.
Linda Skipper has been undergoing treatment for cancer. Both have been out of work due to their illnesses.
The fire not only displaced the family but divided it as well. The parents lived with family for a short time before moving into a hotel, and the three children resided with friends so they could catch the bus to school every morning.
`We finally got everyone under one roof. Last Friday [Jan. 22] we moved into a home,` said Linda Skipper.
For the time being, the family’s Park Avenue home remains unlivable, with fire damage stretching from the garage area on the first floor to the second floor.
`I love my home, I would really like to get back into my house,` said Skipper.
She said the structure is sound, but the damage would have to be repaired before the family can move back in.
While another benefit for the family has not yet been planned, the Chamber is still encouraging its members to make donations to the family.
`We’re encouraging our members to give them gift cards,` said Erika Gauthier, program and membership manager for the Chamber.
Kathy Burbank, Executive Director of the chamber, specifically mentioned the need for gift cards to Target, Wal-mart and Crossgates Mall.
`The structure of the house is saved, but they lost everything from the walls down,` said Burbank.
Donations for the Skipper family can be sent to the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce at 2050 Western Ave., Guilderland, NY 12084.
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