Firefighters work to put out the fire at the Seneca Place apartments on January 14, 2022. Photo by Rick Milne
BY RICK MILNE
On January 14, a major fire at the Seneca Place apartments in Honeoye Falls displaced approximately 12 families/individuals. While these community members work to traverse through the process of finding either long term or permanent housing they are in need of support and Honeoye Falls and surrounding communities are working together to support their needs.
The local churches in Honeoye Falls, Honeoye Falls-Mendon ROTARY, Love Leads Us and Elim Gospel Church (Lima) have come together to work in tandem to support these families. There are also other churches, residents and service groups working to support this initiative as well.
Each church is working with specific families/individuals to understand what they need and will develop the plan to support those needs. Our goal is to ensure that no person/family is left behind and has the support needed while they advocate for themselves as well.
Honeoye Falls-Mendon ROTARY will act as the center for the financial support. As funds are raised, these donations will be funneled through the Honeoye Falls ROTARY Foundation for this project, to be held and then dispersed as needed.
As the financial needs of the families/individuals are determined (sometimes on a daily basis) the churches will support the funding via the ROTARY Foundation account that is in place. A full trail of all funding in and out will be kept.
Gift cards to stores like Target, Wal-Mart and also local stores as needed like Honeoye Falls Marketplace or to restaurants both locally and in Henrietta or Victor will also be kept and then dispersed as needed (once again – fully controlled and documented)
These are some of the current needs and the most urgent at this time. As our friends find new places to live either temporarily or permanently, and as furniture, bedding, kitchen needs etc. are determined, we will target these needs and be asking for more support.
It’s important to understand that while those who have suffered this loss have commonality, each case and need is different. Our goal is to support all as individuals to the best of our ability. We will have direct input for those in need to facilitate the support provided.
There are ways to support this need (financially).
One way is to send a check or money order to: Honeoye Falls ROTARY Foundation PO Box 415 Honeoye Falls, NY 14472.
VENMO is also an option for ROTARY and the account description is: @BTK-KISSACK
Gift Cards to (Target, Wal-Mart, Restaurants or Re-Loadable Debit Cash cards are all acceptable). These can be dropped off at or mailed to The Village of Honeoye Falls – Village Office 5 East Street, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472. Monday-Friday (8:30 AM – 4:00 PM)
Gift Cards and Financial Donations are also being collected by Jon Stills (Love Leads Us). They have a fund-raiser set up on their Face-Book Page (Love Leads Us) as well. Gift cards through Love Leads Us can be dropped off at 1450 Rochester St. Lima NY 14485 Room 209 – Monday through Friday 10 AM – 4:30 PM. Phone Number for afterhours drop-offs: 585-420-7442
Another collection spot for funding and gift cards will be: Dr. Barry Kissack – Four Corners Eye Care. 7 N. Main Street, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472
Our local churches will also be working with their parishioners and will be collecting as well to provide additional support to this focused group.
With any of these options, we suggest the items are marked as (Support For Seneca Place Fire Victims)
Thank you for helping to support our local community members in need. If you have a specific question please feel free to email Honeoye Falls Mayor Rick Milne at (mayor@villageofhoneoyefalls.org) and your question will be forwarded as needed and answered by the appropriate person.
Community leaders involved in the effort are Rick Milne – Mayor, Honeoye Falls, Pastor Kirk Baker – Honeoye Falls First Presbyterian Church, Reverend Virginia Tyler Smith – St. Johns Episcopal Church – Honeoye Falls, Pastor Christine Mitchell – Honeoye Falls United Methodist Church, Reverend Mike Fowler/Dawn Worboys – St. Paul of The Cross Catholic Church – Honeoye Falls, Greg Falco – Elim Gospel Church – Lima, NY , Jeff Klein/Linda Goodrum – Honeoye Falls Mendon ROTARY, Jon Stills – Love Leads Us and Margaret Bobzin – HF-L, Mendon Kiwanis.
