GENESEO – SUNY Geneseo is offering housing and possible emergency funds for displaced student residents who lost their possessions and places to live along with Kelly’s Saloon in Wednesday’s fire.
SUNY Geneseo is spreading the word about their GoFundMe page to raise money for the students, where they ask the community and alumns to donate what they think the cost of their next drink at Kelly’s would have been.
“This fundraiser asks that everyone donate the cost of what would have been their next drink at Kelly’s, even if you haven’t had your first drink there yet,” says the GoFundMe page. “This campaign hopes to raise at least $3,000, $1,000 per student.”
As of early Thursday afternoon, the cause of the blaze is still unclear. Investigators are still working to determine the cause.
The College is also using social media to offer temporary housing and emergency funds to students affected by the fire.
“Our Office of Residence Life is providing temporary housing for these students, and we encourage any student impacted by the fire and needing housing to contact the office at 585-245-5726,” posts the SUNY Geneseo facebook page. “The Financial Aid office also has emergency funds available to students who lost their housing or belongings in the fire. The FA office can be reached at 585-245-5731. For questions on all other needs that have arisen due to this fire, contact Dr. Sancilio, the Dean of Students, at 585-245-5706.”
Several Main Street businesses besides Kelly’s were also impacted by the fire. Honey Girl’s Gourmet sustained extensive smoke and water damage and had to be closed. The gourmet food and gift shop was recently created in April 2015 by entrepreneur Alyssa Cope, and she says that she will soon bounce back and reopen elsewhere.
Touch of Grayce, a regionally renowned specialty shop, lost inventory to severe smoke damage.
The back of Kelly’s. (Photo/Josh Williams)
(Photo/Josh Williams)