CHICAGO — A fire department charity helped a family member of a fallen firefighter rebuild her home after it was destroyed by a blaze.
WGNTV reported that Ignite the Spirit, a charity that works to ease the hardship of Chicago Fire Department families, donated funds to Julie and Robert Carnithan, who lost everything when a fire gutted their home.
Julie is the cousin of firefighter Billy Grant, who died in the line of duty in 2007. She and Robert were told by contractors that their house would have to be rebuilt from the ground up, but insurance would only cover the depreciated value of the home.
Ignite the Spirit donated funds to the Carnithans that will go towards building their home.
“We do the fire and leave and the families are left with what’s left, which is destruction and their lives are turned upside down. It’s nice when we can come back and do something to help. That’s what Ignite The Spirit is all about,” Ignite the Spirit President Rich Pinskey said.
While the charity donated what they could, the Carnithans still don’t have enough money to finish the house, so firefighters are asking the public for their help.
“We want to give people hope. That’s what the holidays are all about. Show them that there are people out there that will help,” Pinskey said.
A GoFundMe has been launched to help raise money for the Carnithans. Click here to donate.