Benefit to be held for CMT fire victims

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Benefit to be held for CMT fire victims

By Betty Aleck

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20080910/FERNLEY04/809100379/1043/FERNLEY

A faulty electrical outlet was cited as the cause for an early

morning structure fire on Sept. 1 on 9th Street in Silver Springs,

according to the owner, Donnalyn " Donny " Seal , who was

attending the Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon in

Reno, along with her daughter.

" Nobody was home, " said, adding, " You can replace things,

but you can't replace lives. We're all alive, and that's what

matters. "

Still reeling from the incident, is trying to absorb what

has happened to her home, which is now completely destroyed.

She reported the Fire Marshal told her following an investigation

that an extension cord was plugged into a bad outlet in the living

room of the double-wide mobile home, and that cord caused the blaze.

purchased the home in 2003 and now is waiting to hear from

her insurance agent concerning coverage on the structure.

But she said of when she first saw her home, " I just couldn't believe

it; everything is gone. I just cried. "

Now friends and neighbors have come together to raise money and

replace items such as clothing, shoes and furniture for the single

mother of two.

A Benefit for and her family will be held on Oct. 4 at 1

p.m. at the Bait Farm Saloon at 1080 Highway 50 (east). The cost is

$5 for an all you can eat potluck, which also includes music by

Gretchen Woods.

Saloon owner, Gayla Peffley is also accepting donations for a raffle,

which will be held during the benefit.

reported on Sept. 1, Peffley's grandson was going fishing

and drove past the 9th Street home and she said, " He (grandson) saw

that the house was gone. "

Then said friends and neighbors quickly connected via

telephone and soon a group congregated at the burnt structure and

then decided to assist her with recouping the losses.

" I was in Reno with my daughter, staying at the Sands because of the

MDA Telethon, " said .

Her daughter, Leah Seal, 9, is the MDA Goodwill Ambassador for

Northern Nevada and was attending the telethon.

The nine-year-old suffers from Charcot Marie Tooth Disease, which is

a neuromuscular degenerative disease.

recalled she received a telephone call from a friend who

gave her the bad news and she quickly left Reno to check on the

status of her house.

Once arrived at the scene she said she just broke into tears.

Now due to the support of the community, the local woman is grateful

for the actions of the tight-knit community, she noted the outpouring

of support is overwhelming, " I didn't think in my wildest dream there

would be such an outpouring and concern from the community. "

noted that Silver Springs is a supportive community and

the " people are awesome. "

She added Leah, will be attended Cottonwood Elementary School for a

little over one week, and remarked through help from Silver

Springs Elementary School Principal Pete Chapin, he arrange it so her

daughter could attend CES, where his brother, Jake, is the principal

of that school.

" Bless the brothers Chapin. They arranged it so she won't miss one

day of school, " quipped .

For now, and her children are staying with her mother Merry

Grotte in Fernley, while she waits for the insurance company to

release funds to allow her to rent a home in Silver Springs.

An account in Donnalyn Seal has also been established at

Bank of American and individuals wishing to donate funds can make a

deposit at any BofA Bank branch.

In the meantime, has been making a list of items she lost in

the fire; she said she is grateful her pets and children were not

home at the time, noting much of the material items can be replaced.

For more details go to the link above.