Sun Chase residents hold gift card drive to help victims of destructive fire

For Roberta Brodesser, the fire that displaced 17 people in eight units at the Sun Chase Apartments was an eerie déjà vu.

“It was so horrible, I can’t even find the words,” she said. “Watching it took me back in a bad way. I didn’t sleep for a few nights.”

Almost 14 years to the day of the Jan. 4 blaze, Brodesser lost her Connecticut home in a similar incident. Back then, her community stood by her side, so she plans to do the same for those affected.

Brodesser lives just one building away from the destructive fire that sustained about $400,000 in property damage when Samantha Spears attempted to defrost a chicken in the microwave.

“I realized what my community did for me in Connecticut and I wanted to bring that back. I walk past that building every day, and it’s heartbreaking,” said Brodesser.

She said she’s seen tons of people come by to drop off furniture and other necessities, but was concerned about how families might bounce back from losing other essentials.

“A lot of people were donating big items. We wanted to help with little things like toothbrushes and wash cloths,” said Brodesser.

To arrange a way to provide assistance, Brodesser met with her landlord. She soon learned of Lynda Lee, another concerned Sun Chase resident who “felt compelled to do something.” Lee met with the landlord within an hour of Brodesser, so the two exchanged information and began to plan their relief effort.

Now, Lee and Brodesser are opening up the gift card drive to the Bradenton community. Anyone willing to donate a gift card of any denomination may send it to the Sun Chase front office, 5909 30th Ave. W., Bradenton, or drop it off in person.

A GoFundMe campaign, which has already raised nearly $3,000 in 12 days, was also started for Spears and her boyfriend. Four of the couple’s pets were lost in the fire. Spears previously told the Bradenton Herald she only had a couple bags of clothes left.

Collection will end Jan. 25. On Jan. 26, the Sun Chase apartments will evenly distribute the donations during a meeting with the victims. Brodesser hopes the gift card drive will show them how much their neighbors care.

“They’re not the only ones who went through this fire. They’re the one who lost things, but the community is still with them,” Brodesser said. “It’s important to realize you’re not alone.”

This story was originally published January 17, 2018 at 6:55 PM with the headline "Sun Chase residents hold gift card drive to help victims of destructive fire."