Less than an hour after a Wednesday night fire at a former furniture factory in Allentown was called in to the fire department, Catholic Charities employees were on the scene.
“The Red Cross contacted Catholic Charities,” said Pamela Russo, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Health, Human Services, and Youth Protection, who is also serving as Interim Executive Director of Catholic Charities, Allentown. “We mobilized quickly to offer assistance in various capacities.”
Lisa Geosits, Catholic Charities Director of Operations and Community Engagement, was the one in contact with the Red Cross and accompanied Russo to the 300 block of Front Street, where the six-alarm fire raged.
Father John Gibbons, Pastor of Immaculate Conception BVM, Allentown, and Sacred Heart, Allentown, met Russo and Geosits, offering to open Sacred Heart as an evacuation center if needed. Immaculate Conception, along with the rest of the neighborhood, was without power.
Geosits reflected on the beauty of communities coming together in crisis. “It was neighbors helping neighbors. It was faith communities opening their doors. It was organizations working together to ensure families facing unimaginable loss were not alone.” Catholic Charities offered to transport evacuating families to a safe site set up by the city of Allentown, but no one came forward, as most found solace with friends and extended family.
Russo and Geosits remained on standby until almost 2 a.m., but thankfully, none of the affected families needed their help at that time.
The Allentown Fire Department said in a press release that no civilian injuries have been reported, and one injured firefighter is expected to make a full recovery.
Peter Brown, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter of the Red Cross, was also on-site Wednesday night, and he expressed his sincere appreciation that Catholic Charities came out for the emergency.
“We have a fantastic relationship with the Red Cross,” Russo said. “The Red Cross will care for immediate needs, and Catholic Charities will walk alongside any individuals and families in their ongoing recovery, offering things like case management and housing assistance.”
“We’re here to help restore hope, dignity, and a sense of security after disaster strikes,” Geosits said.
Catholic Charities has also been providing the victims of the June 11 apartment fire in Reading with connections to transitional housing and material goods and will be ready to offer the same support to the victims of the Allentown fire as needed. Catholic Charities can also assist with document recovery, medication, clothing, baby items, and pantry items.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, contact Rainie Campagna, Director of Community Support Services, at 610-435-1541 ext. 5319.
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