Boxborough Fire Relief
Twenty-three families were displaced when a four-alarm fire tore through an apartment building on Swanson Road in Boxborough on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Today, we come together as neighbors to support these families.
For questions, please email BoxboroughFireRelief@gmail.com.
Moving Needs *UPDATE* May 27, 2021: The vast majority of those affected have moved into new housing - some permanent, some temporary. Nonetheless, only now (more than 3 months later) will these neighbors have the opportunity to remove any salvageable belongings from their homes.
Those move-out windows are being scheduled now, and many of the residents could use a hand... packing, carrying out, transporting, and unpacking into their current living spaces.
If you might be available to help - even with small items - please indicate how and when you may be available. We're hoping very much to have 'many hands making light work' of these tasks, and moves may take place weekdays, weekends, or evenings.
Please use this google form to read more about what sorts of help we need, and to indicate you can offer to pitch in.
https://forms.gle/ngcUFNE8Y7gfAC9o9
Thank you for considering, and also sharing to help spread the word. It will help us a lot to know how many helpers we might be able to count on, as moves are being scheduled to take place any time in the next 3 weeks.
**important note... we are NOT asking for volunteers to remove damaged or ruined materials. We are working to coordinate the hiring of professionals who can handle these items safely.
FreeBee Network & Market
It is official! Our first open-to-the-public *outdoor* FreeBee Market day is coming JUNE 5th 11am-1pm!
- Free take-home food for all! Gleaned produce and prepared dishes from Roche Brothers, veggies grown by our neighbors, and treats baked by our community.
- Boxborough Recreation Commission with kids' activities, and info on Flerra Summer Playground and the Liberty Fields proposal
- Housing Board info table
- 'Ask a Gardner' table with seeds, free seedlings and potted perennial plants
- Bone Marrow Donation registration drive (10am-3pm, bethematch.org)
Come join us for this special launch of what we hope to be an all-summer activity and community resource.
We'd love to SEE you and collect your feedback on what you'd like to see at future markets!
All welcome! All free!
Held on the lawn at the United Church of Christ Congregational: 723 Mass Ave, Boxborough
(across from Town Hall at 29 Middle Road)
Interested in volunteering for FreeBee? Here’s a quick, no-obligation info form: https://forms.gle/YHRm6se52UzWKPDT7
Success Stories
The outpouring of support shown by this community has been overwhelming, inspiring, and gratifying. Clergy, town selectboard members, church groups, neighbor brigades, school officials, and loads and loads of volunteers are making life easier for the residents, one step at a time. Two nights after the fire, when volunteers discovered one of the residents had a birthday, volunteers immediately coordinated to get a cake, dinner, and a present. Many meals have been delivered and provided at the hotel. Almost all residents have found new housing, and very quickly after the fire, all residents who wanted to, were paired up with "neighbor advocates" in order to focus needs and spread the workload around. We have been matching the generous in-kind donations of furniture, household goods, and clothing with those who can use them. Thanks to numerous volunteers and the generosity of the staff at the Sargent Memorial Library and the United Church of Christ Congregational in Boxborough, families had two opportunities to receive bins full of household supplies AND were able to "shop" for items donated by the community, while also picking up food donated by local families and Roche Brothers. Stay tuned for more success stories thanks to this wonderful community! https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/the-beacon/2021/03/05/boxborough-steps-up-support-families-displaced-feb-10-fire/6870907002/
10-year-old David with his amazing drawings
The community continues to be fantastic, including the youngest members of our towns! Check out this fund-raising effort by an 8-year-old from Acton: Boxborough Fire Relief, organized by Abhijay Potluri Abhijay raised $1,000!
And a 10-year-old from Boxborough auctioned off his beautiful drawings to raise $147 for the fire relief fund!
Monetary Donations
Some employers and organizations will also match contributions, so please check!
Financial support will be provided by the Community Support Fund out of UCC Boxborough. 100% of the funds donated to the Community Support Fund are distributed to our neighbors in need. On the donation page, use the “Special Collections” option and put Community Support Fund in the memo line.
Acton-Boxborough United Way has established a fund to complement the efforts of UCC for those who are unable to donate through a religious institution.
Donating Goods
Household goods (furniture, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom linens) will be provided by the HouseHold Goods in Acton.
UPDATE on HouseHold Goods Donation process:
Anyone wanting to donate essential furniture items to Household Goods in response to the Boxborough Fire Relief should contact Brigid Bieber, Volunteer Program Director at brigid@householdgoods.org to arrange an appointment to drop off during our regular appointment hours (T, Th, Sat. 9-11:30).
Our donation appointments are full for the next couple of months, so as an accommodation to the community affected by this fire, and all of those helping out, we want to be as helpful as possible.
An essential furniture item is defined as:
Futon Mattress with Frame (must have both)
Bureau, dresser or armoire
Kitchen or dining tables (with or without chairs)
Sofa, sofa bed, loveseat
All items must be clean, complete and without rips, stains tears, etc.
Thank you so much to the hundreds of community members who came through with donations of financial assistance, gift cards, household goods, furniture, clothing and bins!
Volunteer Interest
We have been overwhelmed by the offers of support and to help. We are trying to align needs with people so we have created a form which will help us organize the support. Thank you!
Thanking First Responders and Supportive Businesses
Rapid response from Boxborough Fire Department (plus several surrounding towns), Boxborough Police Department, Red Cross of Massachusetts, Salvation Army and the Boxborough Regency Hotel was essential in ensuring the safety of the families involved. The Boxborough Regency has been incredibly supportive and has helped residents with computer access, printing forms, doing laundry, and offering free meals and reduced rate accommodations. A quick note to share your appreciation goes a long way, and please support businesses that step up during this difficult time. Buying Minuteman Grille gift cards (possible to do over the phone: 978-263-8701 for residents who are staying at the Regency is a great way to support both the hotel/restaurant and the families affected by the fire.
This page is a joint effort of the Boxborough Select Board, Acton-Boxborough United Way, United Congregational Church of Christ Boxborough, and Neighbors of Boxborough.
For questions, please email BoxboroughFireRelief@gmail.com.