Woman starts fund for former neighbor
Kristen Koltick Brockett grew up on Willow Glen Drive in Bethel Park. In fact, her parents still live on the street.
When Brockett, who now lives in Oakmont, heard about the Jan. 11 fire destroying the 984 Willow Glen Drive home of her former neighbor, Deborah Johnson, she felt she had to do something.
So, Brockett started Johnson’s Fire Recovery Fund on www.gofundme.com, where people can donate to help Johnson and her family recover from the devastating fire.
“While the books, photos and countless memorabilia may be irreplaceable, Debbie is faced with rebuilding her home and her life,” Brockett said. “For those you who do not know her, she is the kind of woman who would do anything for you, even if it put her out. She is selfless, giving and kind.”
Brockett said there is no time frame for the Johnson fund, which totalled nearly $2,115 in donations Jan. 15. Any and all contributions will go toward Johnson’s immediate living expenses, she said.
Johnson, who is staying with her sister in Centerville, said she is touched by Brockett’s efforts on her behalf.
“She is a most thoughtful person to take the time out and come to my rescue,” Johnson said.
Johnson, the mother of three grown sons, was not home at the time when the fire started. She left her house, where she had lived for 25 years, around 1:45 p.m. Jan. 11. Ninety minutes later, she got a telephone call that her house was on fire. Her three dogs and three cats were killed in the blaze.
“I had three rescue dogs and three cats that wandered in to my life,” she said. “I replaced my three sons with the dogs and the cats.”
Johnson, 63, who has insurance, said she will rebuild after her house is demolished.
“It was a total loss,” she said. “It will likely be a ranch house. It makes sense at this point. I live on a fantastic street with a good group of people. I can’t think of any place else I would rather live.”