Brown Family Update Page PDF Print E-mail

 

Nov. 16, 2009 - As many of you know a fire destroyed the home of Bob and Jill Brown on Sunday.  Efforts are underway to meet their immediate needs and to help for the long haul.  A relief fund has been opened up at Regions Bank at 324 Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island, FL  32952 to receive donations.  Georgianna will also receive monetary donations to then be turned over to Regions Bank.  Checks should be made out to Georgianna UMC with Bob Brown Family in the memo section.  In addition to the bank fund the Marriage Ministry has stepped in and donated funds. Gift cards have been purchased for TJ Maxx and Dillards and several offers of homes and/or condominiums have been extended.  It has not been determined where they will be staying.  Today a Pod and a dumpster are being delivered as clean up begins.  Any inquiries and offers to help can be filtered through Mona at the church office (452-7523)  so that efforts will not be duplicated.

Georgianna will use this means to communicate updates and needs as we stand with Bob, Jill, Jonathan, and Bryan and support them as they recover and rebuild.

Nov. 17, 2009 - A second dumpster was being delivered this morning as the work progresses on clearing out the house.  A representative from Crest Cleaners came by on Monday to pick up the clothes that were salvagable.  Bob let us know that their cat found its way home, and the family will be renting a house on South Tropical Trail near Jill's parents house.


We understand that the account at Regions Bank has not been set up at this time.  Donations can be made through Georgianna and we will see to it that it  gets to the Browns.  Checks can be made out to Georgianna UMC and the memo section should say, "Bob Brown Family Fund".  Future updates will now be on our Georgianna website at : www.georgianna.org as a Bob Brown Family update page has been established.

Nov. 18, 2009 - The Regions Bank Account has been open.  Donations can be made to any of the branches.  The one on Merritt Island is at 324 East M.I. Causeway, Merritt Island.  Make checks payable to Bob(Robert) or Jill Brown.


Clean up has gone well today as they have cleaned out the inside of the house.  Tomorrow clean up will be on the back of the house and removing a deck that was burned.

Nov. 19, 2009 - The third dumpster was filled today.  Lots of people stopping by to help.  I think they are actually having fun working together.  I've been taking pictures of the progress.  tomorrow, we will finish the drywall removal, nail pulling, wire removing, and probably take down the back porch or pressure clean the inside of the house to remove the smoke stains and smell.  The people have been great, Georgiana and the community.

 

Benny, our cat, slept in our bed at the empty house last night, footprints gave him away.  He has come around the last three nights, just after dark.  The bed is gone, so I left him a blanket on the floor.

Nov. 20, 2009 - The Browns will be taking a break from the clean up starting at noon on Friday to Sunday afternoon.

Nov. 24, 2009 - After filling up 4 dumpsters the house is completely gutted now.  Bob has pressure cleaned the inside and should finish the outside today.  They are scheduled to be in the rental house by Tuesday evening at 430 South Tropical Trail.  Bob expects to be about finished with the demo by this afternoon.  Several people have expressed an interest in getting Jill another dog but she plans to wait until after the rebuilding and they are once again settled.  Benny, their pet cat, continues to come back to the house on Earl for dinner every night just after sundown.  Bob’s digital video and book from his most recent trip were not able to be reclaimed from the hard drive locally but he has a friend who is a hard drive forensic expert who is going to take a look at it.


Donations can continue to be made at Regions Bank and checks made out to Bob or Jill Brown or brought or mailed to Georgianna and made out to Georgianna UMC with Bob and Jill Brown Family in the memo section.  Fundraisers continue throughout the county.

Dec. 2, 2009 - The Browns are moved into their rental house on South Tropical Trail and getting settled with all of their donations of furniture and household items.  Jill’s friends and fellow Mary Kay Representatives took care of and equipped both of the bathrooms for them.  Bob continues to prepare the house for the rebuilding.  It is now down to the studs and he and Jill are working on a redesign.  A Georgianna church member and local contractor has offered his services to help in the building process.  The Browns continue to be overwhelmed with all of the church, community and schools outpouring of time, money and furnishings.

Dec. 3, 2009 - Brown Family 5K Benefit Run/Walk


Hosted By Merritt Island High School Cross Country
All proceeds raised will help the Brown Family rebuild their home which was lost to fire in November 2009


  • Where: Mitchell Ellington Park Hall Road, North Merritt Island
  • When: Saturday, December 19, 2009
  • Time: Race starts at 7:30AM, Early Registration

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January 15, 2010 - Found a structural engineer who is working on the house plans.  He should be done within a week.  Next we'll take them to the courthouse to apply for the necessary permits.

 

The house has been pressure cleaned inside three times.  Just about all the damaged wood has been removed excluding the trusses and plywood on the main house area.

Last Updated on Friday, January 15 2010