Wilton, your response to help a member of the community in trouble was overwhelming–yet hardly surprising.
Yesterday, we brought you the story of Wilton school bus driver Hubenson Anicette (better known as ‘Ubie’) who lost everything in a Bridgeport house fire one week ago. We explained that while he would eventually need help replacing the things he lost in that fire–clothes, furniture, electronics and all his belongings were destroyed–the need that was most critical and immediate was helping him afford first and last months rent on a new apartment so that he wouldn’t remain homeless.
One Wilton parent, Rachael Dineen, whose daughter is on one of Ubie’s bus routes, stepped forward to spearhead the efforts to get Ubie back on his feet. She set up a donation page via YouCaring.com and set a goal of raising $3,500. Our story that ran starting Wednesday morning was the first anyone heard of it. In less than 24 hours, Wilton not only hit that fundraising mark and surpassed it, you blew it out of the water–at press time this morning, the tally of donations stood at $4,935.
But not only did you respond with money, you’ve responded with more. Ubie now has a temporary place to live right here in Wilton until he’s able to find a permanent rental, thanks to the offer of a room at Farah’s Farm. And another resident who is a realtor is working with him to find that new rental quickly.
“The community that is Wilton is great. They responded so quickly to the situation, they are very human, very decent people. Everything I felt before, it’s now triple. I used to say that people in Wilton are very nice. Now I would say that the people of Wilton are like family. The way they treated me, they treated me like I am family,” Ubie told GOOD Morning Wilton.
Dineen is also amazed by how quickly and how many people stepped up to help.
“I am blown away by the outpouring support from our community. The personal comments and well wishes are so touching,” she said. “I think this fundraising effort shows the power of not just social networking but the power of a close to home news source that can rally a town.”
In posts on the fundraising page, donors did wish Ubie luck and thanked him for taking care of Wilton’s children as they made donations, some small, some large, but all with tremendous heart. There were personal anecdotes people wrote, including some from children, one from a Cider Mill secretary, and several specific thanks from parents: “Thanks for taking care of my son Eli!” and “I will never forget how kind and patient you were when my son Kevin was nervous about taking the bus in preschool.”
Farah Masani was one such Wilton resident who was moved by the story–so moved, she messaged GMW at 9 a.m. Wednesday morning immediately after reading the story with the offer of a room at her home-based organic farm on Horseshoe Rd. Later on, she explained why she wanted to reach out to help.
“Well, we saw the story about the fire on the news and read about his situation on GMW, and all the efforts taking place in town, and thought, why not?! We have a vacant room at the farm house, Farah’s Farm is a resource to the community for fresh vegetables and eggs and teaching people how to homestead. Helping someone in need is just an extension of that and the embodiment of what the farm believes in.”
Ubie met with her Wednesday evening and they made arrangements for him to move in on Thursday. He was thrilled with the offer of help from his new friend. “She understands when there is somebody that needs. She put herself in my shoes.”
The overwhelming response from everyone–93 donors on the site–has helped relieve a lot of stress and anxiety for him.
“It’s like they are putting me on their shoulders and walking with me!” he said.
Editor’s note: This story embodies for me the entire reason why GOOD Morning Wilton exists. I type this at 4:43 a.m. Thursday morning, knowing that it’s in service of strengthening the online community that highlights the good in Wilton and that puts more good out there. Ubie and I agreed that while there’s sadness that it took a fire to be reminded of it, he knows how he is part of this community and the community will step up to have his back.