Quick update on the Buckley Family, who lost everything they own in a fire when their house burned down exactly one month ago (March 4th), directly from Hal Buckley:

We are doing OK, all things considered. 

The community and my coworkers have been very generous, we have most of the items that we need when we get our own place. 

That is our biggest need right now, a three bedroom place for no more than $700/month.

We haven’t had much luck finding a place to live in Burien that we can afford. 

There are not many vacancies now because people usually wait until the weather is better before moving. 

So…does anyone out there have a rental house for around $700/month? Or know of anyone?

Please email us and we’ll connect you with this needy family!

Don’t forget, you can still donate directly to the Buckley Family Fire Fund set up at Sterling Savings Bank:

We just got the PayPal “Donate” button up online, ready for all those generous B-Towners to help out the Buckley Family, who were burned out of their home last Tuesday.

Simply click the “Donate” button below and you’ll be re-directed to PayPal, where you can donate as much as you want.

All donations go directly into The Buckley Family Fire Recovery Fund, set up by the fine folks at Burien’s Sterling Savings Bank:

3/10/08 UPDATE: Just received word that Hal Buckley’s back at work this morning, and that his co-employees raised nearly $2,000 for his family!

Excerpt from an email from Ken Riley, Controller of Pilot Freight Services:

Hal is back to work this morning

We have collected a total of $1,975, as this morning, I gave that to him

He is still living with friends and won’t have a permanent house for about three months.

Please keep in mind that we are still collecting stuff for him, but except for the clothes, he won’t be able to take it until he gets a house.

His story will be on the 6 o’clock news tonight, channel 13.

Someone in his church gave him a car, but it needs brakes and wheel bearings, the money we gave him will go to a good use.

Good luck to you, Hal and your family.

Ken Rily
Controller

On Sunday, B-Town residents and visitors opened their hearts and wallets to help the Buckley Family, who lost everything they owned in a fire last Tuesday:

The kind folks at Thi Salon Services donated their entire day’s worth of hair styles, manicures, pedicures and other cures to the cause; here’s former Burien Mayor Noel Gibb of N & R Auto (at the Shell station at 156th& First Ave South) getting a pedicure (sorry Noel we couldn’t not take this photo):

 

While across the street, daughter Morgan and her Girl Scout Troop sold cookies and got interviewed by KCPQ-TV:

In all, a total of $650 was reportedly raised, which goes directly to the Buckley Family in their time of need.

I met both Hal and Deana Buckley whilst buying some cookies from their daughter, and they were obviously very happy to see such a good turnout. Hal reports that his church donated a car to him this morning, which is a huge help.

Here are the Buckleys with a few of their Girl Scout pals:

Here’s a list of what’s still needed:

• Two sets of bunk beds
• A home rental big enough for five
• Cash
• Gift Cards to stores like Fred Meyer, Target, etc.

Soon we’ll try to place a PayPal Donation button on the site, but until then anyone interested in helping is encouraged to call Kathy Vallade at 243-9595 or Gregory Heights School at 433-2323.

If you have any ideas on other ways to help (perhaps hold your own fundraiser?), please don’t hesitate to email Scott at the B-Town Blog. We’re here to do whatever we can to help as well.

Last week, I stumbled upon an interesting “Call for Help” ad on Craigslist, and decided it was worth investigating further.

Last Tuesday, a double-wide trailer burned nearly to the ground behind Sylvester Middle School here in Burien. The family that lived there basically lost everything (including the family pet) but the clothes on their backs, and had no insurance.

They are a family of five – Hal and Deana Buckley, and their three children – a nine-year old daughter who attends Gregory Heights Elementary School, a two-year old and a six-month old.

The story goes that on Tuesday, Deana took the two babies and went to pick up their daughter at school at about 2:30pm. When she returned home, the house was totally engulfed in flames.

Hal returned at about 3:20 just in time to see the fire department trying to put out the fire. No one was home and they have no idea how it started.

This family needs our help.

The Red Cross has helped them with three days of support, but they are in dire need of cash, gift cards, furniture, a cheap place to live…everything.

I spoke with Deana Buckley on the phone Saturday morning and she’s very grateful for the help they’ve received so far. She mentioned that they need two sets of bunk beds now, and also asks that anyone who wants to help try to either go to Sunday’s fundraiser (11am-4pm at Thi Salon), buy cookies from their daughter or donate cash or gift cards (ie: Target, Fred Meyer, etc.), as they have enough clothes for now. They need to get back on their feet and find a place to live, as they’re now staying with friends in Renton.

Here’s how you can help out this weekend:

1. Sunday (3/9) from 11am – 4pm at Thi Salon Services (in Big 5/Big Lots Complex @ 125 SW 148th St Burien • 241-9984) an all-day fundraiser for the Buckley Family. Salon owner Thi will be donating all proceeds to the family from all salon services, so go get your hair done, a manicure, pedicure, your back waxed, scalp massaged or whatever other services they offer. Rumor has it also that Thi will stay “until the last person leaves” and will donate all monies collected directly to the family. There’s also a Fundraising Jar (see photo at left) where you can just donate cash. There will also be  food available (hot dogs, etc.) donated by the local Safeway across the street.
2. Sunday (3/9) from 2-4pm at the Burien Safeway (on 148th near First Ave South, conveniently located just across the street from Thi Salon), daughter Morgan will be selling Girl Scout Cookies near the front door (she lost all of her cookies in the fire but is out selling again – way to go Morgan!). So go show off your new ‘do to her and buy a bunch of cookies!

Eventually we’ll set up a PayPal donation button on the site that will deposit funds directly into a Buckley Family bank account, but until then, to donate cash you can contact Lynda Isernio at Sterling Bank at 243-6869 for more information.

For additional information on how you can help this family call Kathy Vallade 243-9595 or Gregory Heights School at 433-2323.

The Kiwanis plan to rebuild, but this will take some time.

If you have any ideas on other ways to help (perhaps hold your own fundraiser?), please don’t hesitate to email Scott at the B-Town Blog. We’re here to do whatever we can to help as well.

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