She’s Overwhelmed by Generosity : Donations: Outpouring of support gives a fire victim a respite from financial troubles.

Losing her 3-year-old son Aaron in a tragic fire earlier this month was a devastating setback for Toni Jones, an unemployed single mother struggling to make a life for herself and her children.

But Jones’ troubles eased a bit Friday when members of the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce and the Crystal Cathedral Helping Hands Ministry presented her with more than $1,500 in donations collected to help Jones and her family get back on their feet.

“I’m overwhelmed,” Jones said as she cradled her 9-month-old son, Isaiah, in her arms at an afternoon press conference here. “My heart couldn’t be more touched. I didn’t realize so many people cared. It all really helps to keep us going, because after a tragedy like this, we really need the help.”

Aaron Jones was killed March 9 in a fire that destroyed the family’s Garden Grove apartment. The fire started when Jones set a mattress to be used by the daughters of a homeless friend too close to a space heater in the living room.

Jones herself suffered burns on her arms and legs trying to put out the fire and rescue the children. Isaiah and his 4-year-old brother, Carlos, suffered smoke inhalation.

Several Garden Grove firefighters who fought the fire gathered around Jones and her children at the press conference Friday to give her a $200 check from the city firefighters association.

“We wanted to do anything we could to help lessen the grief,” Fire Capt. Steven Shirley said.

Also on hand was Joe de la Riva, a Tustin man who lost a son in a fire last May and who has made public appeals for aid for Jones and her family. As De la Riva hugged Jones, he told her he had wanted to meet her in person to offer his support.

“I’ve made some public appeals on their behalf because I don’t know what my family would have done if the community hadn’t reached out to us,” he said.

The donation drive was organized by Frank Kazerski, a Tustin man whose apartment was destroyed in a 1989 fire. The effort brought contributions from dozens of county residents.

Jones, 36, said she has been amazed by the generosity of those close to her and from people she has never met. Neighbors collected $100 toward a tombstone for Aaron, and other people have donated furniture, appliances and dishes.

The family has been on waiting lists for government-funded low-income housing for more than three years, Jones said. Jones said she hopes to find work as a chiropractor’s assistant as soon as her wounds heal.

“Aaron wouldn’t have wanted me to sit around being sad because he was a real happy boy,” Jones said. “I look at his picture every day, and it helps me to feel like he’s still here. I know he would want me to keep being strong.”