Sumner Association of Neighbors (SAN)

Firefighters respond to the fire at the Gray home on NE 89th Avenue. (photo by Bruce Goodale)

The back of the home.

Today the house that Sumner resident Jody Gray and her son live in suffered a horrible fire and the house is a total loss.

Jody has lived in this house since 1964 and has been active in the neighborhood all these years. We are thankful that Jody made it out okay, but all of her belongings are gone. She only left with what she was wearing. Her son has third degree burns on his hands and will be in the hospital for awhile. They are getting help from Red Cross and she is staying with close friends.

There have been a large number of neighbors asking how they can help so there is a meeting scheduled for:

Thursday, March 24, 2016
7:00 pm
CNN office (behind the fire station)
4415 NE 87th Avenue
Portland, OR 97220

We will discuss how we, as neighbors, can help Jody and her son through this difficult time. Please come and give your suggestions, input and support.

You can help out on their gofundme page set up by friends.

UPDATE: You can also stop into the CNN office (behind the fire station) 4415 NE 87th Ave. to donate via cash or check. See Ronda and she will give a receipt.
KPTV – FOX 12

From Portland Fire & Rescue:

3/22/2016 8:41 AM-This morning Portland Firefighters were called to a house on fire at 4626 NE 89th. When fire crews arrived they noted heavy fire throughout a single story home. Some of the firefighters worked to extinguish the fire while others searched for trapped occupants. This fire was made more hazardous by an energized power line that was down in the street in front of the residence.

Both of the occupants (an elderly female and her adult son) were found outside the structure. The son was transported to the Legacy Oregon Burn Center with injuries that don’t appear to be life threatening. The mother was uninjured. Fire crews have knocked down a majority of the fire, however they remain on scene while they search for hidden fire and remove burning material. The power company responded and removed the hazardous power line.

The home suffered significant damage and the residents will be displaced. The American Red Cross will be assisting the residents with shelter and any other needs as they recover. An investigator is working to determine the cause of this fire. Damage is estimated at $50,000 minimum.

Learn how at the SAN Community Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016

Don Francis, owner of EcoTech, will be our guest speaker at this month’s SAN Community Meeting.

Don helped Sumner residents understand and protect their family from radon at October SAN meeting. Neighbors requested additional informative meetings, so we are starting off the new year with Earthquake Preparedness.

(image courtesy of the Seattle Times)

We will discuss preparing your home, family and community for an earthquake and its aftermath. The latest research suggests that the Pacific Northwest may get hit by a giant, coastal earthquake of magnitude 8 to 9 every 250 years on average — and it’s been 313 years since the last one.

Earthquakes may be unpredictable — but they are also inevitable. Many of us think about the ways to prepare for an earthquake, but we fail to think about the long-term effects a largescale disaster will have on us and our neighbors. Although we can never truly plan for a major disaster, educating ourselves in terms of surviving weeks and months afterwards, is the first step toward preparedness.

EcoTech was awarded Multnomah County’s 2005 Public Health Hero Award in recognition of their efforts to protect the community from environmental hazards, and their support of local charities.

The meeting is held Tuesday, Feb.16, 2016 at 7:00pm at the CNN office, 4415 NE 87th Ave. There will also be coffee, treats, free raffle, a police update and more.

After the office parties, the family gatherings, the travel and all the festivities that come with this time of year, join us for one more celebration. Neighbors asked that we hold the SAN Holiday Gala at a time when more of us are free to attend.

You are invited to the first annual SAN New Year Party & Pot Luck!

Tuesday, January 12, 2016
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

CNN office (behind the fire station at Sandy Blvd.)
4415 NE 87th Ave., Portland OR 97220

There will be plenty of hot food, hot and cold drinks, and of course sweets! Optional: bring your favorite covered dish. This is a great opportunity to relax after the holidays and reconnect with neighbors or meet new neighbors. Come for the food, the warmth, the fellowship! All Sumner residents are invited.

For more information, call the CNN office at 503-823-3157 or email sumner.neighborhood@gmail.com.