The local community is coming to the aid of a Baldwin family after a devastating house fire. Patrick and Hillary Tolan and their two young children lost their home and belongings in the fire on November 27.
Now, the family is grappling with the aftermath of the blaze.
The fire not only engulfed their residence but also resulted in water and smoke damage to the items that survived the flames. The family, along with their dogs, managed to escape the fire at their Mallard Pond Circle residence, but not without significant challenges.
Hillary Tolan was injured while breaking a window to rescue their dogs, and one of the family pets required treatment for smoke inhalation at a local veterinarian’s office.
‘To know them is to love them’
Responding to the Tolan family’s urgent needs, friends set up a GoFundMe account. They set the goal at $10,000, raising over $3,000 as of Friday, December 1. The GoFundMe page highlights the Tolan family’s selfless contributions to their community, describing them as former law enforcement officers who have consistently served and supported others.
“To know Patrick and Hillary Tolan is to love them. They are the first to help whenever there is a crisis or emergency. Both are former law enforcement officers who humbly served their communities. They truly have servants’ hearts and give back to others daily,” says Jeremy Eller, who set up the account. “They give to everyone in their lives, now is the time to give back to them.”
In addition to online fundraising, friends have set up a gift registry on Amazon on behalf of the family.
Those close to the family say the outpouring of support has been “tremendous.” They’ve received many donations. The Red Cross is also assisting the family. Family friends say what the Tolans mostly need right now is money to pay for a place to stay and to buy clothes and food as they wait on the insurance company to help them rebuild.
