Donations assist family after fire

Donations assist family after fire

WATKINS GLEN--A morning house fire on Route 28 in the town of Reading, Tuesday, Feb. 4, claimed the lives of two young people, as firefighters from around the region worked throughout the day to extinguish the blaze.
The Schuyler County Sheriff's Office reported two victims were found in the residence, however, their identities have not been officially reported while the investigation and identification are occurring. Investigators from the Office of Fire Prevention and Control have assisted Sheriff investigators in the cause and aftermath of the incident.
However, the community was quick to assist the Kernan family with donations as word spread about what happened. A GoFundMe page was established and within four days it had raised $30,285 from 341 donors. The website listed the two family members as 2-year-old Duane Kernan and 20-year-old Katlyn Kernan as those who were lost in the fire. The initial fundraising goal was $20,000 but donations are still being made at the time of this story.
There is also a fund set up at the Chemung Canal Trust Company to assist the family. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to: Kernan Family Memorial, C/O RPA#24, P.O. Box 346, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.
The Watkins Glen Central School girls varsity basketball team, where Katlyn's sister Kelsey plays as a senior, will also be holding a benefit Sunday, Feb. 23 at the Watkins Glen Community Center. The event will get underway at noon and include a raffle to benefit the family. Katlyn was a member of the state championship girls team in 2017.