Town of Perinton asking for cash donations after outpouring of item donations

FAIRPORT, N.Y. (WHEC) — After news broke Tuesday about a devastating fire that displaced nearly 70 people, the community stepped up to show their support.

Donations have been pouring in in the last 24 hours, and the town is saying they’re needing a different type of donation now.

“There was no call for donations,” said Perinton Town Supervisor Ciaran Hanna. “They just started pouring in the door, and it says a tremendous amount about our community. I’m not surprised, but whenever you have an event like this, it is overwhelming and it is a tribute to everybody here in the community. Our lobby was loaded with donations.”

Anne Teall who lives at Pines has major smoke damage at her apartment, but Wednesday she is volunteering to help her neighbors who lost so much more.

“I’m fortunate, I’m blessed… and so for my blessings, I would bless someone back,” Teall said.

Now, with bags overflowing, stacks as high as the ceiling and tabletops filled with a wide range of tangible donations, the Town of Perinton is to maximize the power of the dollar.

“We’ve had a lot of cash donations. We’ve set up a trust account here at the town and are going to collect money for the residents that were affected by this and be able to distribute that to them directly in the coming weeks,” Hanna added.

Checks can be made to the Town of Perinton with the memo "Perinton Pines," or cash can be dropped off at the town hall. The town said it is working on getting a link set up on its website so that people can donate electronically. In addition to cash donations, the town is still looking for non-perishable food donations.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, according to investigating agencies.