Oyster Harbor Emergency Fund Established
In light of the horrible losses suffered by the families who lost their homes in Oyster Harbor in the December 2008 fire on Shore Drive, the Board of Directors, in an emergency meeting, voted to establish an emergency fund to help. Your financial donations are welcome.
The families escaped the fire with only the clothes on their backs. The Jaicks family has small children. The fund was used to help to give the kids -- and their parents -- some semblance of a normal holiday and assist them in everyday living until they get back on their feet.
The Oyster Harbor community pulled together in a wonderful way to help these families. In addition, several other groups spontaneously collected and provided assistance. A collection was taken up at the Ebb Tide and the 7-11 on Bay Ridge Road. Westfield Annapolis Mall provided several gift certificates. Through the work of a couple of incredible mothers, Kathy Burk and Patty Jenkins, and the St. Mary’s School community came forward with assistance in every way possible for the Joelle and Leah Jaicks in their first week after the fire. There also has been an outpouring of support from St. Anne's School, our neighbors in Arundel-on-the-Bay, and many others.
We would like to THANK the residents of
Oyster Harbor for their generosity and
support during this most difficult time. Your
help has been overwhelming and quite
frankly, above and beyond. The leadership
team of Oyster Harbor is superb and
immediately went into action. We as a
community are lucky to have these great
volunteers. Stan Jaicks wants to especially
thank those who took care of Yvonne,
Joelle, and Leah during the first 12 hours
while he was in Dallas, Tex., trying to get
home. Oyster Harbor is an outstanding
community, one which all of us should be
proud to be a part of.
--Stan, Yvonne, Joelle, and Leah Jaicks
Renting at: 1351 Washington Drive
Nicky Gerke and her husband immediately offered their weekend home on Washington Drive to the Jaicks for as long as they need it. This generous gesture has allowed them to remain in the neighborhood, which is especially good for the girls.
Mr. O’Connor has resettled into an apartment off of Spa Creek.
Penny and Jim Bruce, whose weekend house was severely damaged, are discussing rebuilding options with their insurance company.
From what we understand, all three families plan to rebuild and have met with the County officials who are working to expedite their permitting.
Weeks after the fire we learned that Jimmy and Susie Sturman and their family -- who rent the house directly across the street from the site of the fire -- and who helped rescue the Jaicks and Mr. O'Connor, suffered loses as well. The fire broke out windows in the house resulting in smoke damage to their possessions and to the house. The intense heat melted the siding on their house and on the house of next door neighbor Nancy Plaxico. A fire restoration firm recommended by their insurance company took almost all of their possessions for cleaning. The Sturman were then presented with an extraordinary bill for this service, and their goods are currently being held by the restoration company.
The emergency fund has been used to assist the Sturman family as well.
Thank you notes to the community drawn by Alyssa and Damian Sturman.
If you are interested in donating to the fund, please call 410 693-8771. Checks should be made out to Oyster Harbor Emergency Fund and mailed to: Oyster Harbor Community Association, PO Box 3174, Annapolis, MD 21403. Questions about the fund should be directed to OHCA Acting President Ian MacKinnon at 443 852-6100.
Any funds not needed by the families will be held for the next emergency in Oyster Harbor – whenever or whatever that may be. Neighbor helping neighbor is what this community is all about. Please participate.
Oyster Harbor Citizens Association