Donations for Victim of Apartment Fire Mount

A woman who lost her 3-year-old son in a fire that destroyed her apartment took the opportunity Friday to thank those who have given her cash and household items in the two weeks since the blaze.

“People have been so good to me. A lady from Ethiopia (whom) I don’t know even sent me a check,” said Toni Jones, 36, as she sat in the offices of the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce, which is helping to spearhead a fund drive for Jones and her family. “I’m getting donations from all over. I’m so grateful that the Lord has been blessing me.”

The drive was organized by Frank Kazerski, 37, who lost his apartment in a 1989 fire. So far, he said, Jones has received more than $300 from private donors and charitable groups, as well as clothing, a television set and even a microwave oven.

Jones, a trained chiropractor’s assistant, has been living with her parents in Santa Ana since the March 9 fire, which killed her son Aaron and injured her and four other children. The 2-bedroom apartment was gutted.

At Friday’s press conference, Jones said her spirits have been good and that she is aiming to be fully active and independent again within a month.

“I feel like I’m ready now, but I’m not because of these wounds,” she said, holding up hands still bandaged from burns she suffered while attempting to beat out flames. “But Aaron wouldn’t want me to sit around mourning. I have to keep going.”

Donations may be sent to the Jones Family Memorial Fund, in care of the Chamber of Commerce, 11400 Stanford Ave., Garden Grove, Calif. 92640. Tax-deductible contributions may also be sent to Helping Hands Ministry/Jones Family Fund at 2210 Dupont Drive, Anaheim, Calif. 92805.