For the second time in less than 13 months, the Ricigliano family is looking for a place to live and trying to figure how how to replace all of their belongings.
On Wednesday night, they were burned out of their apartment at 20 Vine St., Batavia.
The suspected cause and origin of the fire has yet to be released by the Batavia Fire Department.
A year ago, Nick and Melissa were living 132 State St., where a woman died after reportedly starting a fire by smoking too close to her oxygen tank.
"My son’s birthday is Feb. 7," Melissa Ricigliano said. "Last year, two days after his birthday, he lost everything. This year, two weeks after his birthday, he loses everything."
Both Melissa and Nick work (at Sunny's restaurant and McDonald's), but after spending the past year replacing all of their belongings, money is tight and they can't afford the expense of a new rental.
After the State Street fire, they knew they needed to get renters' insurance and started the process but hadn't yet signed the paperwork.
Meanwhile, they lost all of their clothes, a new couch, TV and Xbox.
"It took almost a whole year to buy all of our stuff back and now it’s all gone again," Melissa said.
Melissa said she's been disappointed in the response she's gotten from the American Red Cross. On Wednesday, Ricigliano was given $300 and told to come back the next day.
The next day, the woman she talked to said, "What are you doing here?" The woman said there was no more assistance available. When Melissa said, "I'm homeless and we need food," she was told she should have used the $300 for food.
The $300, Melissa said, went for two sets of clothes for each member of the family, toothpaste and toothbrushes.
Judy Nagel at the Genesee Region Red Cross said the available money for fire victims is tightly regulated by the national headquarters. Each victim, she said, is given a debit card and a form that says, "spend X amount on clothing and X amount on food."
"It's all put into a computer and there's a formula based on policies set by headquarters," Nagel said. "The computer creates the debit card. We're not able to do more than that. We don't have any control over the amount (of assistance)."
Nick and Melissa are currently staying with friends. Their children, Dominic, 6, and Martha, 3, are with family in Chili. Melissa also said the people at John Kennedy School and New Hope Church have been trying to help, as well as several others in the community.
Her sister is working on organizing a fundraiser at a town fire hall, but no date has been set yet.
Melissa said she has a message for any potential landlords: "You might want to put out there that I am a good tenant and I don’t have a curse.”
what a sad story!!!! They
what a sad story!!!! They cant get assistance and I had a tenant who left all their stuff and I couldnt get rid of it!!!
Good luck and God Bless!!!!!
we can send money all over
we can send money all over the world but cant take care of our own, thats what realy sad., this famley needs help now.
How can I get in touch with
How can I get in touch with them? We can help.
I want to help, too. Please
I want to help, too. Please tell me how!
Hello, to you Sara and Lisa.
Hello, to you Sara and Lisa. Its awesome that you both want to help in whichever way you can. I work with both Nick and Melissa at Sunny's and know that if you want to, you can call the restaurant @ 343-4578. I work tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon, and Nick works with me during the day, but they are both there frequently, so until they get settled and find a place to live, then that would be your best bet is to call or stop in the restaurant sometime. We can always relay messages to them if they are not there. If anyone knows of any apartments available, that is their first step and obviously things for their kids.
You can call or stop in any
You can call or stop in any day of the week, not necessarily tomorrow.
What do they need for the
What do they need for the kids? Depending on what size the girl is, I may have a few clothing items she can use as well as a toy or two.
Please let me know what size
Please let me know what size the children are because I may have clothing to give to them. Thanks :)
Howard, What about setting
Howard,
What about setting up a paypal account for donations?
I'm sure you have more knowledge than I do about that sort of thing.
Just a thought....
It would be so easy for people to click on a paypal link and to donate there.
Count me in. Where do I
Count me in. Where do I donate?
Sarah, great idea. If a
Sarah, great idea. If a Paypal account is set up from the Batavian and put in a prominent place on the page it would simplify the donation process and reach a lot of people.
The YWCA just had a sale. I don't know what's left, but I will check. And if we get some clothes sizes, people can pick up a few things.
I think an SOS needs to go out to all organizations and church groups for optimum benefit
Billie Ball posted this
Billie Ball posted this comment under a story about a teenager in a car crash. I think she didn't intend to do that, and was trying to reach the commenters on this post about the family that was burned out of their home. So I have copied and pasted her remarks here:
"Nick and Melissa, my name is Billie Ball. I am the founder of Circle of Love foundation, located in Batavia. I have an abundance of fall/winter clothing. Please call me A/S/A/P and we can get sizes for your family. 585-202-2566"
Shari Ange e-mailed
Shari Ange e-mailed this:
"Donations for the Ricigliano family can be sent to John Kennedy School C/O
Parent Group 166 Vine St. Batavia NY 14020. Or to her church. The children
are Boy age 6, Size 6 pant and 7/8 top and the girl age 3 is size 3T. If you
have any other question, feel free to Email mail. Thanks!"
What is her church?
What is her church?
I don't know if she goes to
I don't know if she goes to Northgate, but they have been doing a lot to try to get together stuff for the family.
I have a TV, and a newer
I have a TV, and a newer fridge and stove (2004ish) and possibly a microwave. These fine folks are welcome to them when they get situated. You can contact me at : caffeinatedjulie@aol.com for more info. I may be able to round up some more housewares also!
This family really needs a
This family really needs a place to call home all you landlords out there please help them if you can. Lets show this family what a loving community batavia can be.