There have been a few fundraisers for the Gebregiorgis and Smith families, who were devastated by the blaze, including one at Nectar on June 29, a potluck amongst neighbors on June 14 and donations gathered at the Fremont Fair. There are also memorial accounts set up at Chase Bank (Waterways Employee Memorial Fund) and Bank of America (Seattle Children’s Fire Fund). If you want to donate, you have to do so in person at any of either bank’s branches.
Helen Gebregiorgis, 31 and her 5-year-old niece, Samarah Smith, survived the fire, which began with a mattress laying against a light bulb left on in a closet. Those who did not survive the fire: Gebregiorgis’ sons Joseph Gebregiorgis, 13, and Yaseen Shamam, 5, and daughter, Nisreen Shamam, 6; their aunt, Eyerusalem Gebregiorgis, 22; and a 7-year-old niece, Nyella Smith.
Doors open at 8 for the 21-and-over crowd, with a $7 suggested donation at the door.
Unlike the June 29 fundraiser, which focused on folk music, this event will include local hip-hop and R&B. Eddie Francis of KUBE 93 will host, with comedian D. Lamont Hall. Artists include: DJ Peg, Chelsea (spoken word), S-N-O, Sonny Bonoho, Bad Company, Peta Tosh, Maineak of Stahi Brothaz, Tomeka Williams (with a live band), Black Stax, Tre-Eight/Guap Fam and Eighty4fly.
At the door were posters from the Fremont Fire about the fire, the 4 children, their aunt, and their families, and the fund set up through Bank of America, Seattle Children’s Fire Fund. (Walk into any branch and make a donation to that fund.)
Allecia Clemons, who did not know her neighbors until the tragedy, felt compelled to organize this event as well as a potluck fundraiser 2 days after the accident. She doesn’t know how much money was raised, but she gave the jar directly to the family. She estimated it was several hundred dollars. Thousands more have come in through direct donations at the Fremont Fair (more than $1000) and the memorial funds, such as the “Waterways Employee Memorial Fund,” established by Waterways Cruises, the employer of the childrens’ mother Helen Gebregiorgis, the late Eyerusalem Gebregiorgis, and their father. The company seeded the fund with $5,000. Donate through any Chase Bank branch.
About 40 people, including Daniel Gebregiorgis, the brother and uncle to the victims, showed up to the event, which focused on folk singers organized by Allecia Clemons (pictured below), the next door neighbor of the family that perished in the blaze. The other acts on the bill included: Rose Laughlin (who grew up with Clemons in West Seattle), Ann Fiser, Michael Trew (who performed with Autumn Electric), Clallum Country and Allecia Clemons and the Sexy #’s.
“Helen lost her belongings, but also her children. She can replace her belongings,” said Clemons, who knows what it’s like to lose everything (in the way of material possessions), having been the victim of such a fire when she was 19.
Suggested donations of $10 were taken at the door, where people could also buy $5 raffle tickets. The raffle prize was a donation from six-time Grammy winner John Legend, who provided 4 tickets & backstage passes to his concert at the Puyallup Fair in September.
The first few singers, with their melancholy and contemplative ballads, reflected the more somber mood of the events that brought everyone together last night.
Rose Laughlin
Ann Fiser
But Michael Trew and Autumn Electric picked up the pace, injecting an infectious, rollicking beat and energy that would fit in with any Seattle pop/indie bill.
Joined by many friends, Daniel Gebregiorgis stayed mostly on the second floor of Nectar overlooking the first floor. Hipsters upstairs; a crunchier, older crowd downstairs; but all there to support the family. Many others would have made it, Clemons said, but the tragedy is still too fresh.
“I just got a phone call from a neighbor in the apartment complex. She can’t make it tonight. It’s too hard. Most of them are still traumatized,” said Clemons, who said the fire has brought them together. “The constant reminder of seeing that building is hard.”
The morning of the fire, Clemons and her neighbors ran to try to help, but once they got to the apartment, they ran into flames “as big as the door. There was no way to get out - or in.”
She hopes this will be the first of many fundraisers, with the ultimate goal for Clemons to raise enough money to buy a condo - in Fremont - for Helen Gebregiorgis.
Another concert fundraiser is scheduled at Nectar on July 13, this one in partnership with Kube 93.3 FM and local mainstream and hip hop artists.
In the aftermath of the tragic fire that claimed the lives of 4 children and one adult on June 12, the Neighbors of Fremont have organized a benefit concert to raise money for the family of the victims.
Tuesday night at Nectar (412 N. 36th St.), Allicia Clemons & The Sexy #’s will be joined by Rose Laughlin, Ann Fiser, Clallam Country and Michael Trew to perform for the benefit. The show begins at 7 p.m., for 21 and over. $10 suggested donation and $5 raffles.
Clemons was the next door neighbor of the victims.
UPDATE: Another way to donate to the family is through the “Waterways Employee Memorial Fund,” established by Waterways Cruises, the employer of Helen Gebregiorgis, the late Eyerusalem Gebregiorgis, and their father. The company seeded the fund with $5,000. Stop into any Chase Bank branch in person to make a donation.
Northwest musicians Tai Shan and Angela Reed are holding a benefit concert for People for Puget Sound this Sunday, March 21, at Nectar Lounge (412 N. 36th St). ”Tiny Planet - A Benefit for Puget Sound” aims to raise awareness for Northwest shorelines and clean waters. Seattle-based songwriter Shan wrote her song “Tiny Planet” as result of witnessing water pollution firsthand and decided she needed to do something to help.
“It was raining the day I wrote Tiny Planet. I was at Discovery Park. I wandered down to the shore and watched oily water spilling from a drain pipe into the sound.
The Puget Sound has given me a wealth of stories that proves we are a part of something so much larger than we know in our day to day life. I wanted to help in the best way I knew how, through song.”
In 2009, proceeds from the online sales of Shan’s song were donated to People for Puget Sound. Sunday’s concert is a celebration of all the money raised so far. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. and 100% of the $10 cover will also go to the environmental non-profit.
Rose Laughlin
