A family from our school had their house burn to the ground last night. They managed to get out with the clothes on their back after a propane explosion ignited their house. Fortunately, the Mom's Father lives across the street and they are staying with him. I'm assuming that they are insured and that the house will be re-built. I've called a neighbor of the family and have asked for the families phone number so I can see what their needs are. As a PTA, we cannot pull funds from our treasury but as a school parent I want to very quickly put together a plan to assist them. Suggestions?

As a PTO we have a "hospitality" committee with budgeted funds for assistance to families suffering a death in the immediate family, extended illness, natural disaster. Assistance is generally either sending flowers, or having a group of volunteers cook once a week, or enough meals for a week, not necessarily cash. Additionally the committee will "matchmake" new kids with an existing child when they transfer in so they aren't the new kid for too long. I know it's too late for that in your case - but something to consider for future years.

First, please check with the family to be sure it's o.k. with them if you raise money to help. They may prefer to remain as anonymous as possible (I say prefer to remain because if their house burned to the ground people probably know who they are, tread lightly). You could contact local stores (Target & McDonald's are usually pretty good about this) and put money collection receptacles there or just start an old fashioned phone tree starting with people you know and have them call people they know.

We had a similar situation in our neighborhood, though their kids weren't of school age, they were babies. One woman took initiative to start making phone calls. We collected gently worn but still very useable clothing, the baby items we've all been saving (swings, crib, playpen), linens, mismatched dishes and silverware, pots & pans, even some used furniture when they went into a temporary home while their home was being rebuilt. Things that the family would need right away when the insurance check took a while to get into their hands.

Hope all goes well and your heart is definitely in the right place.