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:

Courtesy Michael LaFraniere of Burien Parks:

Volunteers are needed to help clean up various B-Town Parks, starting this weekend:

3/15/08 10am – Noon @ Shorewood Park:
Shorewood Park is located at 28th Avenue SW and SW 118th Street (Follow Ambaum to 116th Street, turn left so you are heading west on 116th Street and follow to 28th Avenue SW make a left and go 2 blocks, the park entrance is on your left side). The group may be working in the lower half of the park so follow the short trail around. Jean Spohn will be leading the effort on Saturday so be sure to get signed in with her. You do not have to stay the whole time – come for as long as your schedule allows. If you have loppers bring them along.

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3/15/08 Noon – 3pm @ Eagle Landing Park:
Eagle Landing Park is located at 2500 SW 149th street. If you follow SW 149th street west you will come to Eagle Landing Park on the left side of the street (no sign at street level yet, but there is a kiosk inside the small parking lot). The park has very limited parking so we may be overflowing into the neighborhood – please use respect and care when parking in the neighborhood! Also it is important not to block the park driveway access as we share the access with an adjacent neighbor’s driveway. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Please note that Eagle Landing does NOT have restroom facilities so plan ahead before you arrive (the closest restroom is at Lake Burien School Memorial Park and SW 149th and 16th Avenue SW).

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These parks are in neighborhoods and do not have specific parking so please use care when parking in the neighborhoods. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Just a reminder, both parks do not have restroom facilities.

The updated Adopt-a-Park schedule for 2008 is now available online here.

For more information, contact:

Lisa Aumann
Department Assistant
Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services
425 SW 144th Street
Burien, WA 98166

Phone: 206-988-3700 (W-F)
Fax: 206-243-2784

lisaa@burienwa.gov
www.burienparks.net

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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