Crime & Safety

Donations Still Are Being Accepted for Victims of Colonia Fire

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Donations are still coming in to help the Penik family, who lost their Colonia home earlier this month to a massive fire.

Harry Joswick, a pharmacist who owns the Medicine Shoppe on Amboy Ave., has been using his store as a depot for items the family has needed as they try to resettle their lives.

"Donations are coming in in dribs and drabs, but they are still coming in," Joswick said. 

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The family had a list of clothing items they needed, as well as other goods. One thing in particular that was desired were stuffed animals to replace a massive collection the young daughter of the Peniks lost to the fire.

"We're getting a lot of stuffed animals," Joswick said. Chris Penik, the girl's mother, "didn't say to stop, so we're still accepting them."

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One of the several fundraisers which will benefit the family is being held Thursday night at Ariana's Grand. The event is a comedy night and dinner, sponsored by the Banding Together Foundation, which helps deserving families in Woodbridge. They added the Penik family to their list of recipients when they heard about the fire.

"The family is doing great. They are hanging in there, so far," Joswick said. "Let's cross our fingers."


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