Community Rallies with Acts of Kindness for Fall River’s Gabriel House Fire Survivors

FALL RIVER ─ It’s been more than a week since the Gabriel House fire claimed the lives of nine residents and injured dozens more, a disaster the likes the city has not seen in decades.

Despite the unimaginable tragedy, an outpouring of kindness and generosity has emerged, and those acts of compassion are illustrated at Catholic Charities Diocese of Fall River, where hundreds of people have donated clothing, toiletries, money, and medical equipment from around the region and beyond.

Susan Mazzarella, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities, said the organization is now specifically looking for gift cards for the approximately 60 survivors who lost everything in the July 13 fire, as well as volunteers to sort through the massive amount of donations received over the last week.

On Monday, Catholic Charities staff and volunteers continued their daunting work, sorting through the mounds of donations that are stored in a former chapel at the Bay Street headquarters.

Mazzarella showed a reporter a room filled from floor to ceiling with donated boxes of disposable undergarments. In another room, the staff is temporarily storing dozens of walkers, wheelchairs, and other mobility equipment.

On Monday, Scott Gifford, Catholic Charities facilities director, along with Sheila Chasse, director of housing and basic needs, have been doing yeoman’s work since last week when the donations began pouring in, according to Mazzarella, calling them the best staff one could have.

Gifford said there had been about 800 people who had dropped off donations since the day after the fire, when announced that Catholic Charities would be a hub for contributions.

Gifford and Chasse said they are suited for this type of response, dealing with crisis every day.

“So, for us, this might come more naturally than other organizations, but times ten,” said Chasse.

“It’s times 100,” joked Mazzarella.

The outpouring has been “humbling,” said Chasse, who is a veteran working with the homeless.

“It’s even more humbling that there is such a great need, but also that others out there in the community are also humbled and we don’t often see that,” said Chasse.

Catholic Charities has been able to identify the victims and where they are in local hospitals and nursing homes where the city has been able to find temporary housing.

The non-profit has already been able to provide the needed clothing and supplies to the victims.

“Yesterday we packed 120 bags and out the door they went,” said Chasse.

And the staff at Catholic Charities have seen other acts of kindness.

Staff and residents at a Bristol nursing home sent homemade cards to be distributed to the assisted living residents, with messages of love.

Chasse said they photocopied the cards that will be included in the bags of supplies distributed to the fire victims.

And donations continued to pour in.

A donated rental truck pulled up in front of Catholic Charities, filled to the brim with donations.

The goods were collected and delivered by Heather Littlefield and Joe Arena, owners of the Frontline Café and Bakery in West Bridgewater.

The tragic fire and those affected have special meaning for Littlefield, who served seven years as a Fall River EMT before leaving to start the business three years ago.

Anyone wishing to donate gift cards or volunteer to assist Catholic Charities in the effort can contact the agency at 508-674-4681.