This is a time for community support, regardless of a financial security. This family has lost their home, their personal belongings. It can be replaced once insurance is settled. But that takes time. Right now they need help in putting their lives back together because they must be in shock, they must be heart-broken.
It is a time to have compassion, not mean-spiritedness.

They are not "advertising" for handouts. Their friends are trying to help them through a difficult time. They have four children who are dealing with this loss as well... the youngest 11 years old. They dont have luxury cars.....a GMC Yukon and Toyota...

Ditto....Patty's comment

I cannot believe (or actually I should) how some people have reacted to this tragedy. Just because a person who has worked hard and makes a lot of money doesn't mean there shouldn't be some kind of community support. I think what Scudder and Heidi wrote tells me that they are simply jealous and have some of the same mentality as the Occupiers of Wall Street - as in damn the rich. Simply disgraceful and it shows how some have no compassion whatsoever. How do you look at yourself in the mirror?

As a long term Volunteer Firefighter< which means I ran into strangers burning houses to save there HOME, Scudder and Heidi are heartless. I've seen the faces of people that walk into their homes after losing everything. Rich or not, it is a major trauma. Scudder needs to get a grip and perhaps join a volunteer fire company so he can walk a mile in someone's shoes that gives a damn about his neighboors

They are not asking for anyone to do anything. Their friends want to help them ... that is we are doing...it's called Friendship, care and love.

Sorry Mr. "Doofus" no one helped you....maybe it's your attitude.

It's amazing how many heartless useless people there out there

Why do I get the impression that people like David Doofus and some others believe in wealth redistribution. There's a family out there that just lost their home. It doesn't matter if they are rich or poor. They have suffered terribly. I pray that the Loftus can rebuild their home and continue to live in Little Silver. As a Little Silver resident, I want them to know that the Loftus family is in our prayers. I also want to thank the Little Silver Fire Dept and surrounding towns for all that they do.

I do not personally know the Loftus Family. I am upset that my neighbor has suffered such a terrible tragedy and am happy to help in any way that I can.

A friend from Little Silver let me know about this and not knowing anything about the area or family, my initial thought was "I hope they have home insurance". My husband, who is an assistant VP for an insurance company said that no matter how much coverage you have, it can take months to settle and start to re-build a home. The more he explained, the more I understood that a fire destroys paperwork, bank information, etc and takes days to weeks to sort that out and file a claim. So, now finding out this is a prosperous family, that is great they have the means to go forward, but my goodness they need love, prayer and support from their community, not judgement and riddicule. If you have a judgement against the Loftus family, that is your issue, not theirs. I pray the Loftus family finds the home they are looking to rent and all their needs are met. God bless them! :-)

Thank you Vicki, Elizabeth, and Pam for your understanding of what is going on now with the family and what is really needed. Since Donna and Joe are the kind of people who have always understood what is important: family, friends and community, it is those things that now support them. Mr. Doofus, as you present yourself as someone who does not understand any of these things, it is no surprise that you do not find yourself being supported by the same.

David: I am completely sympathetic to your unemployment. I firmly believe in your right to disagree with this (as you call it) fundraiser. What I do not agree with is the fact that your disagreement has led to condemnation of the people supporting this family. If we were to take your argument to its logical end, then everyone who has a roof over his/her head should feel guilty because of all the others that don't. I have worked with Donna Loftus on charitable events in our community and this family is truly one that gives back. Just because they are financially successful does not mean that this situation is any easier. Their community cares about them, why does this anger so many people? FYI, the house is not on the river and the "two housekeepers" were two women hired to help out with the Loftus's Christmas party. And why does everyone have such a thing about Little Silver? We live in a town that we love with neighbors that we love with schools that we support. Does that make us bad people?