Community raises thousands for Wilmington Island fire victims

Wilmington Island, Ga. (WTOC) -A fundraiser held Sunday raised more than $11,000 for families affected by a deadly apartment fire on Wilmington Island two weeks ago.

The Commons at Wilmington Island hosted the event to support residents who lost everything when Building N was destroyed by flames overnight. A mother and daughter died in the fire, and other residents lost pets and belongings. You can find some of that coverage here.

Gabe Quinley, whose mother and sister were the two women who died in the fire, said the fundraiser focused on helping survivors rebuild.

“We’re just worried about the people who are left because my mom doesn’t need her items anymore, and we just want to make sure that we can raise as much as we can to help these people because the insurance doesn’t cover a lot for them in the meantime until that building is rebuilt,” Quinley said.

Quinley said his sister was a hero that tragic night.

“My sister tried her best to get my mom out of the condo. She tried to save them both, and luckily she did. Mom was saved for a couple of hours, but she passed at Memorial,” he said.

Teresa Harris, president of the Commons HOA and event organizer, said the community response was overwhelming.

“We were just overwhelmed with love and support from the island. It was amazing. It was overwhelming. It was like who knew that so many people would show up so fast,” Harris said.

Donations overwhelmed organizers

Kelly Robinson, a Commons resident, said donations poured in faster than volunteers could process them.

“We received so many donations that they piled up into the ceiling, and there were people sorting. We had to actually halt the donations because we couldn’t keep up. It was essential,” Robinson said.

The fundraiser featured food, live music, and a silent auction with more than 25 items worth $7,500 in donations.

Rebecca Mills, marketing director for Live Oaks Restaurant Group, said donating space for the fundraiser was an easy decision.

“So we are all about being there for each other, showing up for each other, and just doing the thing. I mean, simply put, they are our neighbor,s and we’re supposed to show up for each other,” Mills said.

The event was held at Molly Maguire’s restaurant, which held special meaning for Quinley’s family.

“My sister always loved this restaurant, and who would have known that she would have passed a couple of days later, but we had our last, you know, meal together here at Molly Maguire’s, and here they are raising funds to help the families who are victimized by the tragedy,” he said.

The fundraiser collected more than $3,000 in donations and around $8,000 from the silent auction.

Donations are still being accepted on Venmo and Zelle: @$commonfolkscare.