Donations coming in for Ann Arbor couple who lost everything in fire

By Cindy Heflin Associate news director

Posted on Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 5:52 p.m.

Concerned area residents have donated at least $950 to help an Ann Arbor couple whose rented home was destroyed by fire early Monday morning.

But Tami Simpson hopes donations will keep coming in. Simpson hopes to collect at least $2,000 the help Karen Fogarty, her fiance Peter Grobner and Fogarty’s 17-year-old daughter, Rosalyn, following the fire, which destroyed all their personal belongings.

Simpson, who like Fogarty, is a waitress at the Fleetwood Diner in Ann Arbor, said she and Fogarty have been friends since childhood.

The first order of business is to find a new place to live. Simpson said they’re hoping to move into one unit in a duplex, but they need to come up with $1,200 for the security deposit.

To donate to the effort, go to the FundRazr webpage Simpson set up and click on the “give” link. You can see the updated total of donations on the page. The total stood at $950 at 5 p.m. Tuesday and had been growing all day. Anyone with questions can call Simpson at 313-989-6903.

Grobner and Rosalyn were asleep when the fire broke out about 1:30 Monday morning in their rented home at 3325 Packard St. They awoke to the sound of a passerby banging on the door telling them the house was on fire. Grobner credited the man, who did not want to be identified, with saving his and Rosalyn’s lives.

As the couple tries to find a new home, Simpson said her friend is grateful for the donations and offers of help she’s received.

"She’s overwhelmed and really thankful for all the support that she’s getting from everyone,” Simpson said. “It’s just awesome to see everyone’s generosity.”

Contact Cindy Heflin at 734-623-2572 or email her at cindyheflin@annarbor.com or follow her on Twitter.

Tags: fire,