The Eugene (Gene) Murphy Family Says Thank You :: And An Updated Donation List For Those Who Want To Support
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The Community of Beacon has been keeping up with the developments of the Eugene (Gene) Murphy Family, after their tragic loss of everything in their home that they lived in, including their cars. Most importantly, the Murphy family lost their patriarch Gene Murphy, in the fast moving fire that blew through the small house with the high winds that swept through Beacon that early April evening. Read about how the firefighters battled the blaze here.
“Markus - age 15 - his body was burned, including his head, feet and hands. His body is heavily bandaged in the Burn Unit at Westchester Medical Center. His arms are elevated from what looks like stretchy gauze, to help his hands heal. ”
Gene Murphy’s two elder children (in their 50s), a daughter and son who lived in the home, did escape the fire without serious injury. His daughter (Markus’ grandmother) did suffer burns. But his great grandson, Markus Louis, a 10th grader at Beacon High School, was severely burned and was in critical condition at the Westchester Medical Hospital. He has since stabilized, and begun several surgeries to heal his burns.
A family friend, Patrick O'Dell, who is also the moderator and narrator for the Dutchess County Scanner Feed on FB, has been updating the community with donation needs, both financial and specific item requests. Patrick has also been updating about the physical healing progress of Markus. “Somehow he is in good spirits,” Patrick has said. Beacon City School District Superintendent Landahl has also been updating district families with Markus' condition via email.
Since that time, donations continue to come in as new needs arise (those needs have been posted below), which have mainly been published in private Facebook groups. ALBB reached out to Patrick to see how ALBB can help and what we can make public. Patric had expressed: "I did not expect the response to be so fast. People are truly amazing. The extended community have come out to help the family who were living in this home with such love and generosity. Their biggest concern is making sure everyone knows that they cannot be a more emotional, appreciative and thankful beyond words for each and every person who has helped."
Through ALBB and Patrick, the Murphy Family has issued this note of gratitude:
"The Murphy family cannot express how thankful and overwhelmed by the amount of love, support & generosity from everyone who has helped in any way since the tragedy. They wish they could thank each and every one individually but want everyone to know how much it means to them. A special thank you to the many people from the Beacon City School District! Their support of Markus has been amazing!"
Update On Donations
The Howland Public Library has become a connection point for donated items for Markus and the Murphy Family. The library put out their own note of thanks as they continue to collect items:
"Thank you to everyone who has donated clothing items! Your generosity has been overwhelming and deeply appreciated. At this time, the Murphy family is no longer in need of clothing donations. However, we are still collecting gift cards to help support their ongoing needs. Gift cards to stores like Ocean State Job Lot and Wal-Mart are especially helpful and can be dropped off at the front desk of the Howland Public Library, 313 Main Street, Beacon, during regular business hours. Thank you for continuing to support a local family in need. 💛"
Patrick posted the library's OPEN hours:
Monday 9:30 AM–5:30 PM
Tuesday 9:30 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 9:30 AM–5:30 PM
Thursday 9:30 AM–8 PM
Friday 9:30 AM–5:30 PM
Saturday 10 AM–4 PM
Sunday 12–4 PM
About the GoFundMe
Patrick has expressed that the family appreciates the GoFundMe drive, but that funds are hard to get at in times of immediate need. The GoFundMe is about to exceed $70,000 (go go go!) Gift Cards are welcome, and can be dropped off at the Beacon Public Library. For people who love GoFundMe and need the convenience of online donating, the link is here: https://gofund.me/ce94d87e
About Markus, age 15, 10th Grade:
Patrick posted pictures of Markus in the hospital, along with an update as to what they need donated to those who wish to donate. These photos are in private Facebook Groups only, and Patrick wishes to keep it that way. The donation update has been shared on Facebook over 520 times. That's just Shared, not even the amount of Likes.
Patrick wishes to keep the photos of Markus in the hospital private at this time (despite the overwhelming amount of 520+ shares), so we will describe them to you, so that people can realize what life is like for a receiving (thank goodness he is alive) teenager. Markus - age 15 - body was burned. Including his head, feet and hands. His body is wrapped in white bandages, and his arms are elevated from what looks like stretchy gauze. His whole body is wrapped in white bandages, and his arms are elevated from what looks like stretchy gauze. To keep his body stable. When the photos were posted, they were accompanied by this descriptive note from Patrick:
"This is Markus. Markus is 15 years old, full of life, loves video games, basketball and school (every employee of the school district loves him) having a normal evening in Beacon on April 15th when a wind-fueled fire tore the house at 6:20pm. Markus lost his great grandfather, his grandmother suffered from a few serious burns & her brother escaped major injury.
Attempting to get out [of the burning house], Markus suffered critical burns mainly to his feet, face & head. Then, the worst are horrible burns to his hands and wrist. He is in Westchester Medical Center Burn Unit. He has had the first of several major surgeries. Somehow he is in good spirits. He is positioned where he cannot move. He will be there for a very long time. Everything in the house was a total loss. In an attempt to make Markus have something, I am asking for help. These items can make a huge difference. If you upgraded [technology in your own life], have anything laying around, maybe your job? If they work and you can generously donate any of them you would be so appreciated & make him so happy!"
“Perhaps, if any car dealerships are reading this, they could donate cars to Markus for when he gets out of the hospital, and to his grandmother. And perhaps repair the black new-ish looking pickup truck that was damaged. ”
Following is a list of requested, and then donated items. While the family requests gift cards to Job Lots and Wal-Mart, you may also consider Best Buy. For technology things. Though that could be purchased at Wal-Mart, along with groceries, one supposes. Perhaps, if any car dealerships are reading this, they could donate cars to Markus for when he gets out of the hospital, and to his grandmother. And perhaps repair the black new-ish looking pickup truck that was damaged. Reach out to Patrick to coordinate, or if you don't have him, ping ALBB and we will connect you.
- DONATED the staff can put him on FaceTime so he can get to communicate especially when no one can be there.
-DONATED AirPods. Markus has all the music he loves stored in the Cloud and can recover it and the staff can set him up.
-A laptop for his grandmother to utilize while she is at the hospital (all the vehicles were also destroyed in the fire). (ALBB thinks a fresh laptop is best, but if you have a potential refurbished laying around).
-DONATED An unlocked iPhone. Grandmother's was lost in the fire and it will also enable her to FaceTime with Markus.
If you have any of these items or can please share to your page and community pages.
ALBB thinks a car or two would be good!! And more technology.
And a house. How can they get a house?
