You can help: West Seattle fire survivors, a cancer patient and his family, need a rental home, and more

(WSB photo from Sunday morning)
Sunday morning’s fire at a Roxhill-area home was far more devastating than it looked. Even the damage estimate Seattle Fire announced later – $300,000 – doesn’t tell the whole story of how hard this family was hit.

We heard this morning from Kristine Elliott, whose mother, father, and sister – Eileen, Greg, and Catherine Riddle – are the three residents who escaped the fire, along with the family dog. Even before the fire, the family was dealing with an indescribable challenge: Kristine’s dad is fighting lung and liver cancer.

They are talking with their insurance company now to sort things out, but they need some immediate help. For one – they need a home to rent in West Seattle, one-story rambler type so it’s not tough for Kristine’s dad to get around, two bedrooms so there’s room for her parents and her 23-year-old sister, pet-friendly for their dog.

They also are accepting monetary donations through a GoFundMe account online – find it here – and through an account at Sterling Savings Bank (tell Sterling you want to donate to the Riddle Family Trust). Kristine says her family will need some household items, too, since they lost pretty much everything when the fire spread so quickly through the attic of their home, but they’re not entirely sure what yet; nonetheless, they are collecting donations at Boulevard Park Place in Burien, owned by a friend of the family.

If you have any rental suggestions, please comment or let us know via e-mail and we will forward to Kristine.

16 Replies to "You can help: West Seattle fire survivors, a cancer patient and his family, need a rental home, and more"

  • smokeycretin9 January 28, 2014 (11:36 am)

    I just sent a message off to my neighbor about this. Fingers crossed.

  • ksu January 28, 2014 (11:59 am)

    Recently had a similar thing happen to myself and my family – I truly empathize with you all. We are rooting for all of you and wishing you all the best.
    To everyone else, your donations really, really matter – please help however you can.

  • CD January 28, 2014 (12:41 pm)

    Please any info about sizes pants, shoes, etc?
    The owners of Boulevard Park Place, The Steinmens are Wonderful people! They are right off Military between S 128th & S 125th for a quick reference…do we know how long they will be accepting donations?
    Best of luck to the family, I know not everything is replaceable, but I hope you find comfort again.

  • Sassy January 28, 2014 (1:31 pm)

    Yes, as CD said above – please let us know what sizes in pants/shoes/coats you need.
    We will be thinking healthy, positive thoughts for you all.

  • AG January 28, 2014 (1:49 pm)

    That just plain sucks and I’m sorry.

  • alkibeach January 28, 2014 (2:15 pm)

    I will be dropping off dishes, silverware and cookware. I also have towels I can donate.

  • ConnieW January 28, 2014 (2:26 pm)

    Do you know if they need a TV? We just upgraded our TV and I was going to list our 6-year old flat-screen plasma HD TV for sale on Craigslist but we could donate to the family if they really need one. TV works great. We only upgraded because we wanted a Smart TV.

  • Alki mom January 28, 2014 (2:46 pm)

    And please let us know what household items are still needed – kitchen, bath, linens, or?

    Very sorry you have to go through this – hoping you find some comfort in support from our community.

  • BookGal January 28, 2014 (5:02 pm)

    Just an fyi… rather than donating clothing, I suggest giving gift cards or gift certificates (eg Target, Funky Jane’s, Bartells, Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy’s, etc.).
    Due to “vanity sizing” there can be huge differences in the cut of the clothing item… pants too long, too short, too baggy, too tight, etc.

  • sc January 28, 2014 (6:18 pm)

    where can we donate gift cards?

  • Anon January 28, 2014 (10:15 pm)

    Just saw a 2 bedroom 1 bath for rent on 31st ave sw between Kenyon and Thistle, west side of the street. $1200

  • Mike Cervino January 28, 2014 (10:27 pm)

    Can the family use a queen bed frame and box springs?

  • West Seattle Hipster January 29, 2014 (6:14 pm)

    Bless all of the good folks who have stepped up to offer help.

  • Ruthie January 31, 2014 (8:35 pm)

    Hi there, we are clearing out our guest room to move soon and have an almost new full size mattress and boxspring we would love to donate. If this would help, please send an email and let us know. Best of luck with everything!!!

  • Jersey Girl February 1, 2014 (8:44 am)

    I have a couch and a dresser if this would help.

  • Charles H February 4, 2014 (5:40 am)

    I was at their home about 20 years ago and saw some of the very nice work that Greg had done with the home. He also built a really nice shed in the backyard. It’s very sad to hear that they lost their possessions, and even sadder to hear about Greg’s situation.

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