News And Updates
Aid for Peachtree Apartments Fire Victims.
The early morning fire on April 26, 2008 at the Peachtree Apartments complex in Norwich left 150 people without homes. This devastating fire destroyed everything the victims owned. As a result of this tragedy, Bishop Michael R. Cote established the Aid for Norwich Families Relief Fund and he directed that all contributions be used to help victims recover from this tragedy.
To date, the Aid for Norwich Families Relief Fund has collected $11,548.60. Donations came from the generosity of parishes, schools and individuals. These funds have been forwarded to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Norwich. The City of Norwich’s Department of Human Services was charged with coordinating relief efforts. Catholic Charities is working with this and other organizations including the local chapter of the American Red Cross and the Dime Bank.
Survivors of this disaster were in need of basic necessities, and, most of all, they were in need of financial support to help them recover from this tragedy. All monies from the Aid for Norwich Families Relief Fund are being spent to help the victims in a variety of ways depending on the needs of a particular individual and/or family. Fire victims have used the financial assistance to purchase clothing, medications, food and other necessary household items. They have also received help with finding new places to live and relocations.
On behalf of the fire victims, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Norwich is grateful to everyone who responded so generously to the Aid for Norwich Families Relief Fund. To paraphrase the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (25:40), “When you did it for one of these, you did it for me.”