Fund established to help Finnerty children
The community is bonding together to help Bridgit and Pierce Finnerty, the two children who escaped the fatal fire in their Arlington Heights home Tuesday.
Their parents, Kevin and Patricia Finnerty, as well as their 11-year-old brother Garrett, died in the fire that also destroyed their house.
A fund has been set up for the children and caring people across the area are reaching out to help. Friends have brought over clothes and the Campbell Street Bike Shop donated two new bicycles.
At Westgate Elementary School, where Garrett was a fifth grader and Pierce is in kindergarten, the morning Pledge of Allegiance was followed by a special song that a classmate wrote for Garrett. There's also a growing mound of balloons and flower bouquets in front of the school's sign.
The Westgate PTA donated $500 toward a tree and plaque in Garrett's memory and the local Scouts scheduled a special get-together Wednesday night at St. Simon Episcopal Church.
At South Middle School, where Bridgit is a sixth grader, the staff collected $300 on Wednesday alone to buy her a new iPod.
On Wednesday, the family established a fund for the kids. Checks can be made payable to "Jennifer Murphy, guardian of the Finnerty children" and mailed to Village Bank & Trust, 311 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL, 60005.
Donations also can be dropped off at South Middle School, 400 S. Highland Ave. Checks should be made payable to "South Middle School." Principal Linda Klobucher said the student council has already kicked in $500.
When all the money has been collected, the school will write one check to the aunt who is caring for Bridgit and Pierce.
"We've been getting calls from people who live in the community who don't have kids who want to donate," Klobucher said. "We're just all trying to work together."
A shop in downtown Arlington Heights where Kevin Finnerty often displayed and sold his work, will redirect profits from an upcoming party to the Finnerty family.
Tuscan Market & Wine Store, 141 W. Wing St., is holding a 1-year anniversary party on Friday for their wine bar, and now will direct proceeds to the family. It will be the first in a series of events they are planning.
The beer and wine tasting is from 5 p.m.-midnight.