Fund established for five students impacted by fire in Greenfield

GREENFIELD (WITI) -- FOX6 News has learned five of those impacted by this weekend's fire that devastated a Greenfield apartment building are students within the Greenfield School District. Fire destroyed the Willowick apartment building on W. Southridge Drive this weekend. 15 families were displaced by the fire — and most don’t have insurance. Now, we're learning a fund has been established to help these students, who have nowhere to stay and no belongings.

Nine-year-old Caleb Jacobsen is a third-grader at Edgewood Elementary School. He is one of five Greenfield School District students impacted by this weekend's apartment fire.

"Our pet survived. He was the lucky one. But the rest -- yeah, they didn't make it," Jacobsen told FOX6 News.

"He's lived there his whole life, so it will be hard for him to make that change," Jacobsen's mother, Heather told FOX6 News.

Heather Jacobsen is tasked with comforting her son, and trying to rebuild their lives.

The family did not have renters insurance -- and they are not alone.

Nicole Batzko's family is also without a place to live.

"We didn't even have socks on, so we're trekking through snow," Batzko said.

Batzko says a free hotel room is about to expire.

"Three days from the Red Cross doesn't give you enough of a head start to get your life back together and your children back to normal," Batzko said.

Luckily, there's Tanya McGrury and the Edgewood Home and School Association. The parent group is stepping up by raising money.

"We're trying to raise $60,000 -- $20,000 for each family so they can replenish their belongings," McGrury said.

McGrury's group is raising money online at GoFundMe.com.

Sherry Pinedas has three daughters in middle school and high school. She is hoping for help as well.

"I hope that we can find something to live in soon," Caleb Jacobsen said.

If you'd like to make a donation to the fund for these Greenfield School District students, please CLICK HERE.