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Local groups and borough distribute more than 190 gift cards to residents displaced by Bridgeport Suites fire
Summary
Growing Bridgeport Together and local organizations collected and distributed gift cards to residents displaced by a fire at Bridgeport Suites; the borough and volunteers coordinated distributions to hotels and to residents once repairs are complete.
Residents of Bridgeport Suites displaced by a recent fire received coordinated aid from borough volunteers and several community organizations, Growing Bridgeport Together said during public comment at the March 11 Bridgeport Borough Council meeting.
John Gundrum of Growing Bridgeport Together told the council the group raised donations that produced 112 gift cards for displaced residents. He said additional donations from the Bridgeport Community Fund, the Ladies AOH and the Knights of Columbus Holy Family Council No. 332 added 83 more gift cards, bringing the total reported in the meeting record to 195 gift cards.
"Growing Bridgeport Together started a fundraiser...with enough donations to obtain 112 gift cards," Gundrum said on the record. He thanked borough volunteers who assisted with distribution and named individual volunteers who helped deliver cards to hotels and to Bridgeport Suites residents while relocation and repairs continue.
The borough chief (identified in public remarks as Chief Beretta) and council members also described hands‑on assistance by borough staff, volunteers and elected officials, including on‑the‑ground distributions at local hotels and continued coordination with property managers. Borough staff said final distributions to two residents remaining on the first floor of Bridgeport Suites will be completed once repairs are finished and residents have relocated back to their apartments.
Why it matters: The organized local response provided immediate aid to residents who lost access to housing and household goods because of the fire, and it involved multiple community organizations coordinating with borough staff and the fire and police departments.
Gundrum thanked Justin from Woodward Properties for assisting distributions to residents who were not available during earlier distribution events. The group expects final distributions when building repairs allow residents to return.
