NEWS
HARDYSTON -- For Kelly Stoll Balagtas and her husband, Juan Paolo, a horrible situation could have been a lot worse.
The young couple and their 1-year-old son, Peyton, were out of the house on Sunday when a fire broke out in their home in Lake Stockholm. The house on Lakeside Avenue was badly damaged by the blaze. Tragically, the family's beloved dog, Mollie, died in the fire.
Friends of the family have started a Go Fund Me page in support of the Balagtas family. The page, entitled "Help Kelly and Paulo rebuild" had raised $23,398 of its $30,000 goal as of Thursday evening. According to statistics on the page, 313 people have reached out to help.
Supportive messages, including "I'm so sorry for your loss, but I'm glad you and your family are safe," and "If you need anything, please feel free to reach out," are posted for the family as the community rallies around them.
Family friend Natasha Wright Cunniffe, of Hardyston, said that the amount of support that the family has received has been touching and beyond generous.
"Kelly and Paulo and I all grew up here and went to Wallkill Valley High School," said Cunniffe. "This community is incredible. That's why we all ended up wanting to start our families here, it's an amazing place to live full of really great people."
Cunniffe said that for now, the Balagtas family is staying with Kelly's mother, who also lives in Lake Stockholm.
"They lost everything," said Cunniffe. "They're heartbroken about losing their dog, and it's a lot to have to process, but they're just so grateful that everyone is OK, and for this huge outpouring of support."
In addition to the Go Fund Me page, friends and neighbors have started collecting gift cards and donations for the family. Gift cards are going to be helpful as they try to rebuild their lives, said Cunniffe.
"Target, Walmart, Marshall's, Kohls, and Babies R' Us are probably the best," she said. "They have to start from scratch with everything from socks and clothes to baby food and toys. It's a lot to deal with."
The Hardyston Middle School has set up a drop-off point for anyone who would like to donate gift cards to the family. Envelopes marked "c/o community outreach" can be taken to the main office at the school, 183 Wheatsworth Road.
For now, Cunniffe says that the Balagtas family are "hanging in there, but still trying to piece everything together."
To learn more about how to help the Balagtas family, visit www.gofundme.com/help-kelly-and-paolo-rebuild.