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Generosity overwhelms burned-out family
By Jessica Musicar, Staff Writer
Thursday, November 27, 2008 | No comments posted.
NORTH BEND
The kindness of strangers, a safe, healthy family and a roof over their heads are just a few of the things the Woolley family is grateful for this Thanksgiving.
“After we had the fire, it was so overwhelming ... the support from the community,” said Pauline Woolley. “Practically everything has been given to us by somebody.”
They lost nearly everything in a blaze that damaged part of their North Bend home in August. It ruined mementos, toys, clothing and other belongings.
Pauline’s husband, Scott, had only the clothes on his back. So did two of her three children.
Several days after the fire, on the first night in their new home on Oak Street, Pauline realized the kids would have to go to bed without blankets or other bedding.
“We both looked at each other. ‘We don’t have any blankets or anything,’” she recalled saying to her husband. “That was kind of when reality set in. You always have that kind of stuff.”
Just then, her cell phone rang. A member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church whom she didn’t know, asked if the family needed anything. Within 15 minutes, the Woolleys had all the pillows and blankets they wanted to get through the night. Others donated furniture, clothing and other goods to get the Woolleys back on their feet.
“I’m grateful to the people who kept us in their prayers. For every being that was involved directly or indirectly for getting us back to good.”
Pauline said her husband sometimes had a hard time comprehending the charity of strangers, which he now wants to pass on to others.
Although they sometimes miss their old family photos or a cherished doll or a favorite paintball gun, they know they could have lost a child.
On Aug. 3, the children — Zack, 14; Zoey, 9; and Zanae, 4; along with Pauline’s nephew Toby Ridenour, 17 — were home alone when a candle set the house ablaze. Smoke damaged most of the house on 11th Street, but none of the children was hurt. At the time, Pauline was out of town and Scott was working.
“That’s something we’re definitely most grateful for ... having our kids safe and being together because it could have been really bad,” Pauline said.
Since the fire, other things have changed for the family. Pauline is now a stay-at-home mom. The children were having a hard time coping with the fire. Sometimes the girls would beg her not to go.
“I just felt it time for me to be home with them again and focus entirely on the kids.”
Zoey said she was scared of what could happen if her mom left.
“I didn’t want her to go. You never know. ... somebody could break in, another fire could happen.”
The children also said they feel more compassion toward others’ tragedies.
“You can relate to it now,” Zack said.
Zack also said he appreciates life more because of what happened and for the things people gave his family.
“You know what it feels like to not have that, so you have some perspective on it,” he said.
To honor the holiday and the thankfulness they feel, the Woolleys have invited family from Eugene and other areas to celebrate at their new house.
“This year, I told them I wanted to have it here at our home, because we actually have a home,” she said.
The kindness of strangers, a safe, healthy family and a roof over their heads are just a few of the things the Woolley family is grateful for this Thanksgiving.
“After we had the fire, it was so overwhelming ... the support from the community,” said Pauline Woolley. “Practically everything has been given to us by somebody.”
They lost nearly everything in a blaze that damaged part of their North Bend home in August. It ruined mementos, toys, clothing and other belongings.
Pauline’s husband, Scott, had only the clothes on his back. So did two of her three children.
Several days after the fire, on the first night in their new home on Oak Street, Pauline realized the kids would have to go to bed without blankets or other bedding.
“We both looked at each other. ‘We don’t have any blankets or anything,’” she recalled saying to her husband. “That was kind of when reality set in. You always have that kind of stuff.”
Just then, her cell phone rang. A member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church whom she didn’t know, asked if the family needed anything. Within 15 minutes, the Woolleys had all the pillows and blankets they wanted to get through the night. Others donated furniture, clothing and other goods to get the Woolleys back on their feet.
“I’m grateful to the people who kept us in their prayers. For every being that was involved directly or indirectly for getting us back to good.”
Pauline said her husband sometimes had a hard time comprehending the charity of strangers, which he now wants to pass on to others.
Although they sometimes miss their old family photos or a cherished doll or a favorite paintball gun, they know they could have lost a child.
On Aug. 3, the children — Zack, 14; Zoey, 9; and Zanae, 4; along with Pauline’s nephew Toby Ridenour, 17 — were home alone when a candle set the house ablaze. Smoke damaged most of the house on 11th Street, but none of the children was hurt. At the time, Pauline was out of town and Scott was working.
“That’s something we’re definitely most grateful for ... having our kids safe and being together because it could have been really bad,” Pauline said.
Since the fire, other things have changed for the family. Pauline is now a stay-at-home mom. The children were having a hard time coping with the fire. Sometimes the girls would beg her not to go.
“I just felt it time for me to be home with them again and focus entirely on the kids.”
Zoey said she was scared of what could happen if her mom left.
“I didn’t want her to go. You never know. ... somebody could break in, another fire could happen.”
The children also said they feel more compassion toward others’ tragedies.
“You can relate to it now,” Zack said.
Zack also said he appreciates life more because of what happened and for the things people gave his family.
“You know what it feels like to not have that, so you have some perspective on it,” he said.
To honor the holiday and the thankfulness they feel, the Woolleys have invited family from Eugene and other areas to celebrate at their new house.
“This year, I told them I wanted to have it here at our home, because we actually have a home,” she said.
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