UPDATE: Our fundraiser for the fire victims has ended. Thank you to everyone who gave and spread the word. Between Facebook and our website, we raised $26,725! As of April 17, of the ten households that were displaced, six have returned to their homes in Greenstone on 5th and one has completed an already-planned move elsewhere from before the fire. The remaining three households are still in hotels and will be relocated to other apartments within Greenstone. These funds have provided hotel rooms, rent relief, furniture, household items, and food. We could not have done this without you!
On the evening of March 23, the Charlottesville Fire Department responded to a kitchen fire at 772 Prospect Avenue that had spread to the apartment above it. Thankfully no residents were injured, but smoke and water caused over $100,000 worth of damage and displaced 17 people in 10 apartments. They do not have renter’s insurance and several have already been hurt financially due to COVID-19‘s impact on employment. The Red Cross issued them vouchers that will last for 1-2 days. Immediate needs include temporary housing, food, clothing, security deposits, and furniture.
Abundant Life is working with Greenstone on 5th apartments to make sure our neighbors are well cared for. We have created a Facebook fundraiser to aid the victims; all funds raised will be disbursed to the 10 families according to their needs. Your tax-deductible contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. You can also pitch in by sharing this fundraiser with your family, friends, and colleagues. Outside of Facebook, you may donate on our giving page (select “Fire Victims 2020” from the drop-down menu) or by check (write “fire” in the memo).
Thank you on behalf of our neighbors in need! For those unfamiliar with our history, Abundant Life’s first and second community centers were located in this apartment complex. Now headquartered just down the street at 780 Prospect Avenue, Abundant Life demonstrates God’s love through holistic community development in the Prospect neighborhood.
