Donation efforts are underway for the Giles family of Boothbay who suffered the loss of their home and pets in a fire Jan. 30. Five of the eight occupants escaped safely and Gracie, 14, Vincent, 15, and Valerie, 16, were all at Sugarloaf competing in the Special Olympics.

Boothbay Region Elementary School special education teacher Toby LeConte and Giles family friend Andrea Gray said the immediate needs for the family are clothes, gift cards, financial donations and replacements for three iPads for the children.

“I just want to thank everyone who has reached out to help,” said Gray. “They have a lot of needs at this point, but I can’t thank those enough who have helped.”

Darrell Gudroe, consultant at Pharmers Market, has announced Pharmers Market will be reaching into the “Karma Jar” on the checkout counter and matching the first $420 in donations over the next two weeks. Gudroe said any other donations brought to Pharmers Market will be given directly to the Giles family.

Julie Roberts of Coastal Maine Popcorn announced her shop will be collecting donations until Friday, Feb. 9.

“Of course we will take any amount in donation, but if someone donates $10 or more, they can get a free small bag of sweet or savory popcorn,” said Roberts.

Donations can also be made to a GoFundMe page set up by Special Olympics Maine’s Torch Run & Athlete/Youth Initiatives Director Lisa Bird.

Roberts said she does not know the family personally, but that she does not have to.

“… We all have to come together at a time like this to help out, whether we know them well or not. We just try to jump in and help whenever we can – it never takes too much effort to make a difference to someone in need!”

The immediate needs are being met according to LeConte, but the biggest need is a home. The Giles are living temporarily with family and all the children have been slowly moving in as room is being made to accommodate them.

“The three … Special Olympians were not told of their house until the Special Olympics were over,” LeConte said. “They were sad about the animals, glad everyone got out, concerned about brothers who went back in, and are now so happy about what people are doing to try and help.”

LeConte said that after school on Thursday, Feb. 1, she she planned on bringing the children to Toys ‘R Us to replace one toy they had lost in the fire. By the end of the day, an envelope appeared on her desk containing checks and money. The children were able to replace three things.

LeConte also said that not only has the community been very supportive, but people from all over the state, including the Special Olympics, and from as far as New Jersey have been willing to help.

Said LeConte, “Loads of people have sent good wishes and simple things have brought the children’s mother to tears. So all in all, they are wrapped in a caring crowd of good people trying to make things better.”

Also collecting donations is Hawke Motors, and during the Wednesday, Feb. 7 boys and girls senior basketball games, the teams will be asking for $3 admission to donate to the family.

The First National Bank branches of Boothbay Harbor and Damariscotta have created the Giles Family Fund and Giles Home Fund and are accepting walk-in donations

For questions about donating, contact LeConte at 207-671-0565 or Gray at 207-660-7978.