Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
A fire destroyed a barn at the Odonata Sanctuary in Mendon last Wednesday night (December 7) and the community is rallying to help the sanctuary which offers a place for farm animals to live out the rest of their days.
The two-and-a-half story barn at 20 Parrish Road was destroyed and, although flames spread to a nearby home, sanctuary operator Steve Melcher, his family and their dogs were able to get out safely. There was minor damage to the house while the barn was a total loss. Several animals did escape the barn, but some ducks, geese and chickens did not make it out. The surviving animals are being sheltered at Lollypop Farm in Perinton.
The family was alerted to the fire by their five dogs. Mendon Fire Department firefighters fought the flames with the aid of firefighters from Honeoye Falls, Pittsford, Rush, Ionia, Fishers and Victor. Firefighters from Bushnell’s Basin filled in at the Mendon fire hall during the fire. Because the road has no public water, a Tanker Brigade was used and that included equipment from other fire departments in Ontario and Livingston Counties. An investigation into what caused the fire is continuing.
The Honeoye Falls Mendon Rotary Club announced on its Facebook page that it is collecting funds to help Melcher, a Rotarian, rebuild the sanctuary. If you wish to contribute, you can make a tax-deductible charitable donation one of two ways:
Paypal: go to https://hfmrotary.org/page/hfm-rotary-club-donation and click the yellow “Donate” button; type desired amount, select payment method, and add a note specifying “Barn Fire”. Some people have reported that Paypal isn’t allowing them to leave a note. If this happens to you, simply email the Treasurer at btk.hfmrotary@gmail.com saying that your donation was for the Barn Fire. Snail Mail: send a check with “Barn Fire” in the memo to HFM Rotary, PO BOX 415, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472. Any donations made to the Rotary club between 12/8/22 and 12/17/22 will be automatically designated “Barn Fire.” So if you’re donating before 12/17 and are unable to leave a note, please rest assured your donation will reach the right hands (and is still tax-deductible).
