Local fundraising efforts are in progress to aid the 11 families who were displaced by an apartment building fire that occurred on Main Street in Boonville on Thursday, March 28.

The fire was started by a male smoking in bed causing fire fighters to respond to the alarm around 2 a.m. on Thursday.

At 10:30 a.m., fire fighters from Boonville, Constableville, Floyd, Remsen, Stittville, and Woodgate were still tending to the fire.

Many of the area churches, including the United Methodist Church, Chamber of Commerce, Community Bank, Red Cross and individuals are working together to reach out to the 29 fire victims who lost their homes and possessions in the early morning fire.

According to Boonville Fire Chief Dave Pritchard, the fire destroyed nine apartments-seven in the Hutchins building and two in the adjacent Hair Spa building.

The Boonville Chamber of Commerce has set up a Victims of the Boonville Fire 2013 Fund. All monies will go directly to the victims and will be evenly distributed among the families, said Melinda Whittwer of the Boonville Chamber.

Donations in the name of the fund can be sent to: Boonville Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 163, Boonville, NY 13309. Gas and grocery store card donations, can be made to the Chamber.

The United Methodist Church is currently seeking donations of school supplies, electronics, and clean tote bags.

Furniture, appliances, and household items as well as craft supplies such as yarn/crocheting supplies will also be needed.

Church volunteers are compiling a list of donations that will be distributed to fire victims once they have resettled.

To have your donation added to the list, email: bumc105@hotmail.com or contact the church at (315) 942-2626. One individual who is hosting her own fundraiser is Boonville resident Lisa Kornmeyer.

A Pampered Chef sales representative, Kornmeyer will donate 100% of her commissions on purchases made as donations to replenish kitchen items lost by fire victims.

She will also donate her entire commission on items sold for the buyer’s individual use.

For information on how to make a purchase, email Kornmeyer at: lmkornmeyer117@gmail.com.

The American Red Cross of Utica has set up at the Methodist Church and will be on site at the church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays until further notice.

Pastor Rob Dean of BUMC immediately opened the church’s doors to host fire victims and become the command center for the Red Cross.

Pastor Barrett Lee of First Presbyterian Church in Boonville is overseeing things while Pastor Dean is away for a few days’ scheduled spring break, which congregants insisted he take.

Volunteers from all of the Boonville churches have come together to contribute, receive, and sort donated items.

“We could never, on our own at UMC, have handled the huge influx of donations,” UMC lay leader Pat Hubman said.

People came from as far away as Deansboro and Oneida to deliver and aid with food and clothing donations Pastor Lee said.

“Here we are at Easter time, facing immense destruction, but in the midst of it, new life is being born through this community, and that, in itself, is the perfect Easter sermon,” Pastor Lee said.

“To watch the whole extended community become a vessel for new life, togetherness and healing… I have no problem calling this a miracle.”