Darby family left homeless by fire in awe of public’s huge generosity
DARBY >> A week after the Daily Times ran a story about the Gale family, whose home had burned in the borough, leaving the family of 11 homeless, is in awe of the generosity that poured in from Delaware County residents.
Donations of food, supplies, clothes, bedding, furniture, baby items and $3,000 to the family’s GoFundMe page has given the Gales a bright new year to look forward to.
Today, New Year’s Day, the family’s stay at the Red Cross House in West Philadelphia comes to an end, and the Gales must seek shelter elsewhere.
The Red Cross stands by a strict two-week maximum stay. So, the family plans to work with the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, which has set the family up with a hotel room at the Holiday Inn in Chester.
Without the benefit of working automobile, the family made multiple trips back and forth Thursday by train, bus and trolley to deliver supplies to their storage garage as they begin their difficult transition.
“First and foremost, we really need a car,” said Lynell StevensGale, the mother of eight. “We aren’t able to get around, we’re stuck. Anybody with children knows that having a car is necessary.”
No sooner did their home burn in Darby — a total loss, leaving the house condemned — their automobile went kaput.
“We were home, I didn’t have to travel all the time, the kids caught school buses,” Stevens-Gale said. “Everything was local, so we didn’t have to push the car too much.”
With the car’s demise, new challenges arose. Thursday, with packages in hand, Stevens-Gale and six of her children, along with two grandchildren, left soon after lunch Thursday for the hourand-a-half journey through two transfers from West Philly to their home in Darby.
Much of the belongings they carried were donated to the family in their moment of dire need.
“Thanks to all the people who supported us and helped us, I’m praying many blessings to return the favor,” Stevens-Gale said.
Overhearing her desire to get to church on New Year’s Eve, Geraldine Lewis stopped to offer a blessing of her own at the 40th Street Frankford-Market El station.
“My daughter’s father was murdered when she was 9,” Lewis said. “I heard her talking about
“Thanks to all the people who supported us and helped us, I’m praying many blessings to return the favor.”
— Lynell Stevens-Gale, the mother of eight
the goodness of God … giving back is a blessing. People helped me, and now I must help someone else.”
Lewis runs a business that donates handmade pillow designs to children and families in need.
On the train ride to 69th Street, the two women held hands and prayed.
Of most concern to Stevens-Gale is the education of her children. She spoke of Isaac Gale, 15, and his interest in nanotechnology, of Maggie, 15, who takes honors classes at Penn Wood High School, and of her children who are on student council and participate in other extra-curricular programs.
“They want to find a house in the same neighborhood,” Stevens-Gale said.
But, without a Section 8 voucher, she said, they have found much difficultly in locating a residence for rent.
“Our list of houses is basically zero,” she said.
However, she’s hopeful that as more realtors return from winter break that the new year will bring new opportunities, and soon a new set of wheels to give her family the support they deserve.
And as always, she recognizes every blessing that comes her way.
“If it weren’t for the contributions, I would be sitting here unable,” she said. “It’s been a lifeline.”
Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/ hopefor11