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Businesses chip in to help fire victims
BY ADAM C. HOLLAND
Journal Staff Writer

CHARLESTOWN, RI -- In the wake of a trailer fire Wednesday morning that left a family of four homeless, a local charity and several area businesses have stepped up to help and are asking others to do the same.

A Ray of Hope has established a special fund to receive donations on behalf of the family. The address is: Boss Family Fund c/o A Ray of Hope, P.O. Box 40, Charlestown, R.I., 02813.

The American Red Cross has provided $720 for emergency purchases at Wal-Mart, $180 in food vouchers, $250 for medical prescriptions and funding for three days' lodging at the General Stanton Inn. The inn has also donated three days.

Lisa DiBello, president of A Ray of Hope, said the most important priority will be finding a place for the Boss family to live when its housing vouchers run out early next week.

"I'm not letting those kids spend Christmas in a shelter," DiBello said. "I just won't let that happen."

DiBello said she met with the family Wednesday evening and yesterday morning. Melissa Boss told DiBello the second day was much tougher, as the shock wore off and the reality of their situation set in.

The Bosses have no family in Charlestown whom they can stay with, DiBello said, but their autistic 8-year-old boy, Dale Jr., needs to stay in the area to continue receiving his special schooling.

The fire also destroyed a nearby shed where Dale Sr., a self-employed carpenter, kept all the tools for his home-repair business. The family had no insurance.

The Washington Trust Co. e-mailed every employee in its South County branches and will be accepting Christmas gifts on behalf of the family.

Ocean Pharmacy Charlestown has donated more than $1,000 worth of medication that Dale Sr. needs for daily treatment of his diabetes, high blood pressure and other ailments.

The Cove Restaurant will be collecting food and canned goods during its Friday "Mick at the Cove" night on Dec. 19. The restaurant is also planning to host a roast beef dinner on Dec. 28, with proceeds benefiting the Boss family.

The restaurant has also placed a collection container on the premises and will match all donations collected over the next four weeks.

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