Tragedy struck a Camden County Police Department officer and his family on Dec. 16 when a fire destroyed their Clementon home, leaving them with virtually nothing the week before Christmas.
Salomon Andre; his wife, Dajshia Gibson; their newborn, Kailo; and their dog were forced to evacuate and have since been staying in a hotel. Despite their loss, the family is grateful no one was injured. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the police department’s Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 218 stepped in to provide relief, donating $1,000 to help the family purchase essential items lost in the fire.
“This is a hard thing for Officer Andre and his family to go through, especially during the holidays,” said the president of the FOP lodge, Det. Daniel Irizarry. “After speaking with our membership, it was clear that we needed to act quickly to ensure they had support to move forward. However, rebuilding their lives will require much more, including funds for insurance and necessities.”
The family’s plight has also inspired broader community support through a GoFundMe page that’s been launched to cover significant expenses.
“I know Salomon and his new family were looking forward to celebrating their first Christmas with their baby before this tragedy,” noted Camden County Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez. “Now, they’re focused on rebuilding their lives and returning home, which will take months.
“This is the season of giving, and we are hopeful the community will come together to help this family during their time of need.”
The Andre family is working through the challenges of the insurance process while leaning on the support of extended family and the police department. Donations can be made through both the FOP and GoFundMe page. Visit the latter at https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-home-for-kailo-daj-and-salomon
