COLRAIN — A crowdfunding campaign has been launched for the Colrain family that lost everything following a kitchen electrical fire at 129 North Green River Road last weekend.
The GoFundMe (bit.ly/3J1JwBp) page was set up a few days ago by Kristah Swope, the best friend of Jennifer Griswold, who lived in the single-family house with her mother, Maria Sisum, her 12-year-old daughter and two siblings. The family also has four dogs and three cats. A fourth cat is missing after the fire, though the family believes it is loose on the property and hopes it will be found.
Swope said money generated through the GoFundMe will help the family buy clothes, food, basic household items and pet care supplies.
“They’re basically like family to us,” she said Friday. “Jenni and I have been best friends since we were teenagers, and our kids are best friends as well.”
Swope said her 13-year-old, Collin Hamel, and his father, Charles, belong to the Heath Fire Department and responded to the blaze.
Sisum, who rented the house, said the family is staying with her children’s father in Hawley for the time being.
“We’re going to ride the winter out here,” she said.
Sisum said she and her family have been overwhelmed by the community’s support since the Jan. 29 fire. She also said her landlord, Paul Hurtig, has been wonderful throughout the ordeal.
“He’s phenomenal. We are so blessed,” Sisum said. “He’s just amazing.”
However, she learned it could be 1½ to 2 years before she receives money from the insurance company.
In addition to the GoFundMe, donations to benefit the family can also be sent to 2130 Mohawk Trail in Shelburne Falls, with checks made out to Maria Sisum.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.