Re: [Paddlewise] Sad day for a fellow boat builder

Hi everyone,

I have an update...with some good news.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007, 6:17:45 PM, I wrote:

> I'm trying to think of a way that I can set up a website through
> which woodworking tools could be donated, but I have no experience
> with either website building or donation gathering of this sort. If
> anyone here has ideas that I might be able to work with, please do
> let me know; either here on the list or via private email.

I just spent a few hours with my friends, and there is some good news
to report. First, the damage, while still extensive and devastating,
wasn't quite as total as it was first portrayed to me by someone else
I spoke with yesterday after I heard the news (I was told that
*absolutely everything* was burned to the ground). While there was
damage in the woodworking shop, and to some of the boats and tools,
the worst of the damage was to the rest of the house (lost many things
with great personal significance, but they were able to salvage a few
little things as well).

Until I know more about just what might really be needed in the shop,
I'm calling off the "tool drive" project for the moment. I know that a
lot of his boat building wood stock was burned up, as he stored much
of it in an area that was burned to a crisp. If it turns out that
there's still a need for some help, I'll certainly be taking all your
helpful suggestions into consideration.

Now, for the even better news...

My friends were actually surprised at just how good their insurance
coverage was! We'll continue some salvage efforts over the next
several days, but on Monday, contractors will be at the site to start
the demolition and reconstruction of the house. In the meanwhile, it
seems that the insurance is also paying for finding them a house to
stay in while their own is being rebuilt. Hopefully, they'll be out of
the hotel room in just a few days.

After I post this message to the couple other places I posted the
original message, I'm off to do some shopping for them (all they have
left of their clothing is what they were wearing while they were away
from home during the fire).

While it's still a devastating loss for them, I'm so glad that first
reports of the damage were at least somewhat exaggerated.

Thanks again to everyone who offered helpful ideas, good wishes for my
friends, and offers of your own tools and supplies...both here on and
through private email!

As I learn more, I'll post another update.

-- 
Melissa
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