WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. From  Melissa Lopez, The Mayor's Office. (Edited) December 4, 2007:  Mayor Joseph Delfino announced today the City of White Plains, the American Red Cross and Centro Hispano have joined together to coordinate and deliver services to families who lost their homes in the fire which occurred at 208 West Post Road Friday November 30.

If you are interested in helping these families with donations, including clothing, gift cards for food, clothing or household supplies, they are being accepted at Centro Hispano, 340 S. Lexington Avenue, White Plains. Phone is 289-0500.  Meal vouchers have been provided by the White Plains Samaha Family  McDonald's Restaurants and the Subway Restaurants in the city.  Peniche Restaurant on Main Street furnished meals Tuesday evening.

You may also contact the White Plains Planning Department at 914-422-1304 or the Red Cross at 914-946-6500.

The fire which began shortly after midnight forced the evacuation of all residents and resulted in the complete destruction of te multifamily building. With the help of White Plains Fire and Police Departments, the Red Cross, and the White Plains School District, residents were provided with emergency shelter at Post Road School for Friday night. Since Saturday, the displaced families, which include 17 children, have been staying at area hotels supported by the Red Cross, or with friends and family.

The Mayor has directed City staff to reach out immediately to the community and identify and coordinate services for these families. Red Cross emergency response staff, City representatives from the Planning Department and Service Office, and volunteers are providing intake and referral service at St. Bernard's Church Chapel Hall, 346 S. Lexington Avenue, where Centro Hispano is located. Services include assistance in locating both temporary and permanent housing. Clothing collected from the community is being distributed to the families at the Chapel Hall.

Food and clothing vouchers have been provided by the Red Cross. Dinner Tuesday evening was provided at Chapel Hall by Chef Anthony Goncalkves, the owner of Peniche Restaurant on Main Street. Meal Vouchers have also been provided by the Samaha Family at their local McDonalds Restaurants, and by Subway at its local restaurants.

Mayor Delfino, speaking at last night's Common Council meeting, which was not telecast due to the shutdown of City Hall due to flooding, said, "During this season of the year, it is especially important that we reach out to those among us who are in the greatest need. In one brief night these families lost everything. We must all reach out to them to help them reestablish their lives. Many children lived in this building, many of them attend our schools. I cannot thank the Red Cross or Centro Hispano enough for all that they are doing, and ask that all residents of White Plains help n whatever small way they can."