Crossroads students help two classmates who lost their home in a fire.
By: Elaine Worden
Crossroads Middle School students are collecting donations to help a Kendall Park family of four that lost its home to a fire in March.
Through a series of fundraisers, the students have collected money and household items for Crossroads North students Liz and Peter Butera and their parents, Mark and Wendy.
The Buteras’ home was deemed uninhabitable after a fire that started in a utility closet in their basement on March 17 damaged the floor trusses and foundation of the building.
The family is renting an apartment in Fresh Ponds Village, until the house is ready, which should be in approximately nine months.
"What was hard was that the fire started in the basement, and that’s where we really spend most of our time, so just about everything that Liz and Peter owned was in the basement," said Ms. Butera.
Approximately 50 percent of Liz and Peter’s clothing was destroyed, as well as their book collections and PlayStation games, said Ms. Butera.
"A lot of it was just completely lost," she said.
Some things, such as china and glassware were taken by a restoration company, she said, but until they move back into the house, they won’t know exactly how much was lost.
Students thought that it would be a nice gesture to have both Liz and Peter’s school units set up the fundraisers to let them know they care, said Mark Kmiec, Crossroads North physical education teacher.
Eighth-grader Liz’s Tau Unit created a giving tree. Classmates began donating items such as clothes, items for the family’s dog, books, CDs and gift certificates in April.
In addition, the Zeta Unit held a one-day bake sale for seventh-grader Peter, using the proceeds to buy gift cards for the Buteras. Together, Zeta Unit students raised $500, which was used to buy gift cards from Stop & Shop, Wal-Mart and Quaker Bridge Mall.
"When Peter’s unit presented him with all of the gift certificates, they had a miniassembly and they really made him feel special," said Ms. Butera.
Students even put together a gift basket for the family’s dog, Scooby, which really brightened up the family’s day, Ms. Butera said.
"We really appreciate all of the support we’ve been given, I didn’t realize all of the friends we had," said Ms. Butera. "We’re so thankful for all of the support from the community, and the schools have been wonderful."

