Donations pour in for Cleveland family that 'truly lost everything' in fire

A picture posted on Facebook of what remained of a Cleveland home destroyed by a Friday fire has brought together members of the community hoping to offer support.

The wind-driven fire spread quickly, leaving the family who lived in the home just enough time to get out with only the clothes they were wearing.

“Due to the wind and the fire conditions, the family truly lost everything,” Cleveland Fire Department Chief Chris Ellington said.

Once Cleveland Fire Department crews put out the fire, Ellington quickly realized their work wasn’t done.

He decided to post a message on Facebook, asking for donations for the Gonzalez family, who had been displaced by the fire and was in need of everything.

“We have thousands of viewers and followers on our Facebook page, but it was overwhelming, the amount of donations we received,” Ellington said.

Since the social media post last week, donations have been pouring in from as far away as the fire department in Rich Square in North Hampton County and from neighbors in the Cleveland Community.

“The fire department showed up and took care of everything. They have been truly amazing,” neighbor Stephanie Lorraine said.

Lorraine lives next door to the Gonzalez family and has been doing what she can to help. She said the kindness of strangers and the Cleveland Fire Department have brought hope the family thought they lost in the fire.

“We’re still salt of the Earth people and we’re still very community oriented. I think they really wanted to reach out and help their neighbor,” Ellington said.

Ellington said the immediate needs for the family now include a washing machine and dryer, beds for the children, pots, pans and plates.