CHARLOTTESVILLE VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The East Rivanna Volunteers Fire Company and the First In Foundation, which helps first responders and their families in crisis, is raising funds for the needs of two little girls orphaned when their parents died in a Sunday morning fire on Starry Skies Lane in Keswick.
One of the children is in critical condition at VCU, and the other is being treated at UVA after their parents, 37-year-old Stephen and Ashley Williams died in the fire. The children’s aunt and uncle are Kelly and Dwayne Williams, according to the East Rivanna Fire social media page, and Dwayne is a member of their fire company. The two, along with another uncle, Forest Napier, are caring for the girls at the separate hospitals.
“The Williams family has deep roots within East Rivanna and Central Virginia’s fire-rescue community, and now it’s our turn to give back to them in their greatest time of need,” according to the East Rivanna page.
This GoFundMe “will directly benefit the girls once legal guardianship is established. The First In Foundation will serve as the steward of all donations and will ensure that every dollar is distributed appropriately on their behalf.”
As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, the GoFundMe page had raised over $44,000 for the girls.
Donations will be used to cover funeral and burial expenses for Steve and Ashley; medical care and recovery costs for the girls; clothing, school supplies, and basic necessities lost in the fire; and counseling and long-term living expenses as they adjust to a new home and future.
“Your kindness—whether through donations, clothing, or simply reaching out to help—shows what it means to take care of one another in times of unimaginable loss,” is written on the East Rivanna page.
