Community Corner
Family Left Homeless by Fire Looking For Rental
Local real estate agent Amanda Brawley said the Ghirardinis are seeking a four-bedroom, two-bathroom rental in Swampscott, Marblehead or Nahant.
The next step big step in the Ghirardini families recovery from a fire that destroyed their Andrew Road home is to find a rental.
Laura DeMartino, sister of Peter Ghirardini, said the family can start to heal once they are living in a place of their own.
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Real Estate agent Amanda Brawley of Jack Conway Real Estate said Peter and Laura Ghirardini and their four children are seeking a four-bedroom house with two bathrooms.
The upper range of what they can pay for rent is from $3,000 to $3,500 per month.
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They expect to be renting for a year, she said.
Anyone with information about a rental for the family may call Amanda at 617-966-6652.
The agent said the family's school-aged children will continue to go to their respective schools in Swampscott — Hadley Elementary School, Swampscott Middle School and Swampscott High — even if they rent outside town because they are paying taxes on their Andrew Road home.
They are looking for a rental in Swampscott or Marblehead or Nahant, preferably one that is partially furnished since they lost everything in Thursday's fire.
A bank account was set up at Salem Five Bank in Swampscott on Friday to help the family with longterm expenses — such as furniture — that insurance will not cover.
The Ghirardini Family Fund is ready to accept contributions.
To drop off cash or a check you may do so in person at the Salem Five Bank, located at 450 Paradise Road (781-593-7918). Please call the bank for information on where to mail a check.
The Ghirardini couple and their children — a boy who is 8 and twin girls who are 10 and the oldest child, a girl, 14 — are staying in Swampscott with family friends.
Meanwhile, people have been helping the Ghirardinis with their immediate needs.
On Saturday Amanda delivered gift cards that were donated to the family.
Those who care to donate a gift card to the Ghirardinis may drop it off at the Jack Conway Real Estate office at 410 Humphrey Street, Amanda said.
She will deliver the card to the family.
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