Today, our community experienced a very scary situation. We Need to help!
About 7:20 AM on May 4th, 2012 at 4495 N Delaware Dr in Apache Junction, a fire broke out behind the home of Jerry & Peggy Van Wormer that has left them now homeless.
Pictured here are Jerry & Peggy Van Wormer in front of the burned shell of what used to be their home, they have been Apache Junction Residents for 18 years and have lived ih their current home for a little over a year.
Black smoke and intense flames bellowed from not only 1, but 2 homes they had on their property. It could be seen for miles around. By the time the fire department arrived, both homes were completely engulf fed and neither could be saved. Jerry and neighbors attempted to put the fire out with garden hoses to no avail.
Jerry was alerted by a neighbor that lived a few blocks away that there was a fire, Jerry's reply was, "Where?", the neighbor told him, "It's your house, get out of there!" Thankfully Jerry and his wife Peggy were able to get out of there home unscathed with 3 of their 4 dogs. 1 is still missing and is presumed lost with the homes. Due to how fast the fire spread, Jerry says, "the neighbor saved our lives". That is a testament to the good people here in AJ.
The tragic part of this story is that Jerry retired from his job as a Truck Driver to care for his wife, Peggy to keep her from going into a nursing home. Peggy has terminal COPD and Lupus and requires constant care, oxygen and medications. With their situation, Jerry was not able to carry Homeowner's Insurance on either of their homes and they have lost Peggy's car completely and the only vehicle Jerry has to rely on was damaged by the fire, and in Jerry's positive way, "but it still runs well". Jerry doesn't know how he and Peggy will rebuild but he is grateful that they are all alive and knows they will make it through this.
As a community, we need to help this family with our prayers, dollars and assistance. Jerry needs help to clear the property, needs a place to live with his wife and 3 dogs, needs to find a new home to place on the lot and while all this time while trying to manage his wife's illnesses. (Hospice is on board to manage her Medication and Oxygen needs).
If anyone can help, please contact Jerry @ 480-255-6478. For those that are interested in making monetary donations to help this long time AJ resident please send your donations to:
Pinal County Federal Credit union
Tothe Benifit of Jerry Van Wormer, Acct # 80943
290 S. Phelps Dr.
Apache Junction, AZ 85120
On Behalf of Jerry & Peggy Van Wormer
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