ORANGE — The Salvation Army plans a prayer vigil Friday for the families of Leena Ciolino and Victoria Gaignard, the children killed in Saturday’s house fire, and new funds have been established to collect donations.
Lt. Michael Buzzard of the Salvation Army’s Athol Corps said tragedies such as the one Saturday affect families and the community, and the Salvation Army will have counselors and literature on dealing with grief available Friday, as well as stuffed “prayer bears” for children. The vigil will be interfaith and all-inclusive, he said.
The vigil is to be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the park opposite the fire station on Water Street.
The school district, in partnership with TD Bank and the Town of Orange, has established funds for both families.
“A death in the family heaps grief and added expense on top of an already painful situation. Countless individuals have requested an avenue in which to safely donate to the families,” Select Board member Kathy Reinig said, reading an announcement from the school district.
Checks or cash may be brought or mailed to any TD Bank location and directed to either the Ciolino/Laughton family fund or the Gaignard family fund. The bank is accepting donations through March 31, with all money going directly to the families.
The Orange branch is open seven days a week at 30 E. Main St.