Benefit planned for Nichols family who lost home to fire

Benefit planned for Nichols family who lost home to fire

A benefit in honor of the Butler family from Nichols, N.Y. will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. at V.F.W. Post 1371, 207 Main St., in Owego, N.Y.  Rick and Jess Butler, and their daughters, Riley, age 4, and Avery, age 4 months, lost everything in a Sept. 28 house fire. A spaghetti dinner is planned, along with a live D.J., auctions and other activities. Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children, and a max $20 per family; all proceeds benefit the Butler family. Visit the Facebook page, “Butler Family Donations” for more information.  (Provided photo)

The community is invited to attend a spaghetti dinner benefit on Sunday, Nov. 9, from 1 to 5 p.m. at V.F.W. Post 1371, located at 207 Main St. in Owego, N.Y.  Benefit proceeds will help a Nichols, N.Y. family who lost their home and all of their possessions in a September 2014 house fire.

The Butler family lost everything after a Sept. 28 fire, which originated in their garage. Rick and Jessica (Jess) Butler, and their daughters, Riley, age 4, and Avery, age 4 months, are slowly rebuilding their lives after the devastating fire.

Jess Butler was home with her two daughters on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 28, when about 4 p.m. she heard a suspicious noise coming from outside. She opened a window to listen at first, and then opened the front door to see smoke coming from the garage.

Jess gathered her daughters and ran out of the house as quickly as possible, without having the time to find shoes to put on, nor grab any personal items.   A call to 911 was immediately made, and Rick, who was nearby at a neighbor’s house, rushed back home. As many as six fire departments were called to the scene.

The garage and vehicles inside were lost, and the fire spread to the house, where significant damage occurred. The cause of the fire was left undetermined because of the extensive damage in the garage. Fire officials told the Butler’s the cause could potentially have been an electrical issue, but that could not be verified.

Since the fire, the Butler’s have been renting in Owego, but hope to eventually rebuild a new home on the same property. The Butler’s are thankful and amazed at the outpouring of support from family, friends and the community, and are beginning to start over with basic essentials.

At the Nov. 9 benefit, several items will be auctioned including gift certificates, jewelry, baked goods, a queen size quilt, furniture by Save More, to name a few, and a variety of baskets.  A live D.J. will be spinning tunes, and as of this writing, two bands are slated to perform, “The Kinfolk” and “Jim & Dan Jam,” as well as music by Tom Brown. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children, with a max of $20 per family. All proceeds benefit the Butler family.

If you are unable to attend the event but would like to donate, visit the Facebook page “Butler Family Donations” and follow the link to donate via Paypal; or monetary donations can be written to Jessica Butler and mailed to the Butler Family, 2791 State Rte. 17C, Owego, N.Y. 13827.

All other donations can be dropped off at the V.F.W. location on Main Street, or call Kris Marcocci at (607) 687-4330 or Cindy Finch at (607) 349-9769 to arrange donation pick-up.