Nic and Jessica Venturini and their two children, a two-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl, lost their home, belongings, and essentially everything they own in a July 31 fire on Elmwood Ave., near Graceadea Park in Modesto.
Thanks to the power of the internet, Turlockers have banded together to help the Modesto family.
Members of the Turlock Neighborhood Watch Facebook page are hosting a benefit event 6 p.m. Monday at Pitman High School to collect donations for the Venturinis.
The donation event was fueled by social media blowing up- for a good cause. Word of the fire eventually reached Turlock Neighborhood Watch Facebook page founder Dani Love and friend Marissa Romero, who decided to host the donation event and further spread the message of the Venturini’s need for help. The Facebook event page is titled as “Help Nicolas and his family!!”
Love says that when she saw news of the fire on social media her heart dropped and she couldn’t imagine going through the same situation.
“When I saw this my heart dropped to my stomach and I though of my own little family. I would hope if something were to ever happen to use someone, anyone would be there to help. This family needs this,” she said.
Nic Venturini’s cousins, Whitney and Brandon Lasater, say the family needs clothing and other household goods. Nic Venturini, a personal trainer, wears medium shirts and 32 or 34 sizes pants. Jessica Venturini, a customer service rep at a call center, wears sizes small to medium and size 6 pants. The children wear clothing relative to their ages.
Firefighters say the early Wednesday morning fire led to a roof collapse. The fire is believed to have started on the back porch. Fortunately the family of four was able to escape unharmed. Reports indicate the loss of belongings to be about $50,000. The Modesto Regional Fire Authority says the cause of the fire is unknown but it was likely accidental.
