VFW Post helps resident displaced by fire
SEYMOUR — Everyone can use a helping hand now and then.
The town’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12084 recently reached out to a resident who was displaced and lost everything he owned to a devastating fire earlier this year at his apartment complex on South Main Street.
VFW Post Commander Al Yagovane said he was having coffee at John’s Deli recently and got to talking with a man sitting next to him. The man, whom Yagovane did not want to identify, told him about the horrible fire that left not only himself but several families homeless, and only with the clothes on their backs.
Amajor fire broke out April 14 at the Lynda Empire apartment complex at 380 S. Main St., and caused significant damage to 20 apartments, which were deemed uninhabitable. Fire Marshal Paul Wetowitz had said the fire was caused by a vent fan in an apartment bathroom that “malfunctioned.”
Atotal of 26 people were displaced by the fire at the apartment complex, which, to date, remains closed and is still undergoing repairs.
The town joined forces with TEAM Inc. in a relief effort to help the victims, seeking donations of clothing, furniture, bedding, towels and air conditioners ( for medical needs).
Yagovane said the man’s story of “losing everything he owned” broke his heart and he consulted with his fellow VFW members to do something about it.
“Each year, we set aside some funds to assist an individual in the community who could really use a helping hand,” Yagovane said. “Here was a fellow man in need, and we just wanted to do something.”
Yagovane said while the VFW Post is small, members try to do their part through various fundraisers for cases like this.
“Every little bit helps,” said Yagovane, who did not want to specify the amount of the donation.
Yagovane called the man a few days later and asked him to meet him at John’s Deli, where Yagovane presented “a very grateful man” with the check. The man told Yagovane the money would “really come in handy,” especially since he’s between jobs.
VFW Adjutant Steve Chiodo said helping a neighbor in need is what the organization is all about.
The Post is no stranger to helping out in the community, and regularly partners with local schools to spon- sor a Memorial Day poster contest, hosts job fairs, organizes the annual Memorial Day parade, hosts annual Veterans Day candlelight vigils, delivers fruit baskets to hospitalized veterans and sponsors local youth sports teams.