The Westchester County Corrections Officers Benevolent Association has shared a GoFundMe to support the family of Westchester Corrections Officer Gregory Toone, who lost two teen children in a house fire.
The Cortlandt Manor family’s daughter, Alina, 17, and son Jeremiah, 15, died after a May 27 fire. Their mother and older son were at home at the time.
According to COBA, the union for Westchester County corrections workers, Gregory Toone’s wife was also injured and hospitalized.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins shared the link to COBA and its support of this GoFundMe.
GoFundMe raises $60K so far, community warns of illegitimate funds
Several GoFundMe and other charitable solicitations have popped up, and people on social media had been warning that many were not legitimate.
COBA in its link to the GoFundMe stated: “Your support helps cover funeral costs, temporary housing, and other urgent needs during this unimaginable time.”
The GoFundMe, “Supporting Officer Toone After Tragic Loss,” had raised more than $60,000 by early afternoon on May 28. A $100,000 goal had been set.
“While Officer Toone was at work serving our community as a Westchester County Correction Officer, a devastating fire tore through his family’s home in the early morning hours,” the GFM, organized by Jessica Shannon, stated. “No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain and loss. As Officer Toone and his loved ones begin to face the difficult days ahead, we are asking for the community’s support to help ease the financial burden of funeral expenses, temporary housing, and other unforeseen costs during this heartbreaking time.”
Westchester, Putnam school communities rally around family
The community of Cortlandt Manor, a northern Westchester hamlet where the family lives, and Putnam Valley School District, where the teens were attending high school, have rallied to support the Toones and honor the memory of Alina and Jeremiah.
Yorktown Love In Action, a nonprofit that helps Westchester and Putnam County individuals and families that have fallen on hard times, was collecting gift cards, local business and restaurant certificates as well as monetary donations.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Cortlandt Manor neighbors rally around family after fire kills teens
Reporting by Nancy Cutler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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