Please come and support this Albany family.
This Saturday and Sunday there will be a fundraiser to help the Fallen family, who lost their home in a fire back in May of 2020, at 5 Mohawk St. in Albany. The hours of the fundraiser on both days is 10am-5pm. There will be a number of raffles, a tag sale and also a bake sale.
The Fallen family story is one of love for their neighborhood and community. They were struck by tragedy and need help as they try to rebuild their home. We think that their story is best told by the "press release" that we received from the family, which can be read below -
A Lifetime of Dedication
Blanche Fallen a beloved member of the North Albany Community at 63 years old , finds herself in a challenging situation. Despite her long-standing dedication to community service,her home remains unbuilt after a devastating fire. This unfortunate event occurred when a neighbor's grill caught fire and spread to her home, leaving Ms.Fallen and her husband, John H. Fallen Sr., without the residence they owned since 1997. Despite this setback, Ms. Fallen's commitment to serving her community remains unwavering. For many years, she dedicated herself to various initiatives including the Albany Housing Authority's Summer Food Program and Community Service Department. Her contributions were significant, a pivotal role in activities such as producing newsletter articles, alongside Rev. Ed Carlson, where she highlighted the stories of residents and employees. Furthermore her volunteerism extended beyond her community, as she provided invaluable support for initiatives such as the late Paul Smith's AIDS Awareness Feeding the Community Program. Despite facing personal challenges, Ms. Fallen's spirit of service continues to shine bright, inspiring those around her to lending a helping hand in her time of need.
Ms. Fallen was instrumental in establishing the Jubilee Concert Series along side Ms. Trudy Magee. This initiative performed for events such as the Black Caucasus, National Night Out and spring cleanup alongside Wanda Willingham in North Albany. Additionally, she held positions as Vice President and Secretary working alongside President Rosie Davidson at Ida Yarbrough Homes, where she also helped initiate a daycare center.
Lastly, Ms.Fallen was a long-standing and dedicated member of the North Albany Neighborhood Association, further illustrating her commitment to community service and betterment.
John H. Fallen Sr. , 66, is equally cherished in the Community. Retiring after 30 years of impeccable service with the City of Albany's Department of General Services ("DGS"). John was known for his unwavering dedication and excellent work attendance. His role was demanding and took a physical toll, yet always competed his tasks with diligence and care. Following his retirement from DGS after a injury, John served as a crossing guard in North Albany for six years until cancer diagnosis forced him to retire early.
Tragedy Strikes
In May 2020, the Fallen family faced an unimaginable traged. A severe house fire, sparked by a neighbor's grill, destroyed their home. Since that day Blanche and John have not been able to live in their beloved house. Despite their best efforts to rebuild, Blanche and John have encountered numerous setbacks.
They hired a contractor to rebuild their home, but the project did not proceed as planned, leaving unresolved, to date, defective construction issues. Thereafter Blanche was approached by Michael Matteo a City of Albany employee who promised to fix and secure the materials and contractors necessary to correct and complete the construction of the house. Mr. Matteo, however, took $138,000 from Blanche and John, thereby creating additional strain on their family's finances and leaving them unable to correct and complete their house.
A Community's Call to Action
To rebuild their home, Blanche and John need to raise upwards of $300,000. They are hereby reaching out to the community, seeking support from businesses, community representatives and friends to help finance the rebuilding of their home. Currently, the house stands as reminder of what once was-a place filled with family love and joy.
Blanche is organizing a raffle/tag/bake sale at build site on July27-28 from 10 am to 5 pm at 5 Mohawk Street, Albany New York. 12204. At event Blanche will be raffling off select items each day. Individuals are welcome to sell merchandise and other goods at site by contacting Blanche or her daughter, Shanet at the contacts listed below. Donations from businesses and individuals for event are greatly appreciated. Blanche views this as an opportunity for businesses to offer their services to residents in need in the community. Additionally, Blanche has started a GoFundMe page to collect donations. To contribute, visit " https://gofund.me/65bb87f2 ; " or visit "GoFundMe.com " and search " Fallen Mohawk St. Fundraiser. "
How You Can Help
The Fallens family has given so much to their community, and now they need our help. Your support can make a significant difference in rebuilding their home and restoring their peace of mind. Whether through donations or, sponsorships, or participation in the raffle sale, every bit helps.
Let us come together as a community to support the Fallen family ensuring they can once again enjoy the comfort and security of their home.
For more information or offer to help, please contact Blanche's daughter, Shanet, directly at (518) 410-9278 or Blanche at (518)242-6018. Donations may also be accepted at https://gofund.me/65bb87f2 ; Together, we can bring the Fallen back home.
So of the items that will be raffled off include gift cards to Texas Roadhouse, Ted's Fish Fry and also Druther's. Other raffle items include a brand new 50' TV, a microwave, a air fryer, a king size comforter set, a waffle maker plus a lot more. Raffle tickets will only be $1 or $2 each.
If you can, please consider stopping by and helping out this family during their time of need!
