By SANDY McGEE

NORTH SMITHFIELD — Linda-Jean Briggs had never met fellow North Smithfield residents Lisa or Robert Scalzo, but that didn’t stop her and others from reaching out to a family in need.

“I’m a member of the community that saw a family that needed help,” Briggs said. “This is a community. That’s what you do in a community. North Smithfield is lucky to have so many caring people.”
The Scalzos’ lives were forever changed after a fast-moving fire destroyed their two-story home on Farnum Pike, Route 7, on Feb. 12.
The family’s dog, two cats and a bird perished in the fire. No people were injured in the blaze.
The Scalzos were without insurance on their home at the time. The insurance had been canceled due to necessary roof repairs, which were expected to begin this spring.
The family was also coping with medical bills. Robert Scalzo Sr. had been out of work since last year, when he was diagnosed with a rare blood disease.
“The day of the fire, Feb. 12, 2008, will be a day my family will always remember as a terrible day that forever changed our lives,” wrote the Scalzo family in a “letter to the editor” published in today’s Call.
“Throughout the devastation and loss, we felt a great emptiness. From the moment the fire was extinguished, we have experienced an outpouring of prayers and support.”
Briggs and several members of local church groups and other organizations joined together only a week and a half after the fire to form the Scalzo Family Fund Committee. The committee has now grown to nearly 35 people, according to Briggs.
“People that didn’t even know them gathered together, put some ideas out there and tried to make it happen,” she said. “It’s been a grassroots effort.”
Tracey and Bill Nangle, who have lived in North Smithfield for 19 years, also joined the Scalzo Family Fund Committee without ever meeting the Scalzos.
“My husband and I became involved after receiving e-mails,” said Tracey Nangle. “We don’t know the family personally. North Smithfield is an extremely generous community.”
“We are asked if we would want to rebuild in another community and wonder how that question is even possible to answer,” wrote the Scalzo family in the letter. “Why would we leave a community that has blessed us with so much love for their neighbor, a neighbor that some people have never even met?”
Robert Sr. and Lisa Scalzo lived on Farnum Pike with Lisa’s mother, Lilyan Masse, and the Scalzos’ three children: Alexa, Nicholas and Robert Jr.
The next fundraiser for the Scalzo family will be held on Wednesday, April 23, starting at 6 p.m. at Wright’s Farm Restaurant in Nasonville.
The event will include a silent auction, a family-style chicken dinner and a performance by local band “Brass Attack.” Members of the band include several teachers of North Smithfield Junior-Senior High School.
According to Nangle, 350 tickets have been sold for tonight’s fundraiser.
Tickets are $40 and will be available in a limited quantity on Wednesday. For tickets, visit the Scalzo Family Fund Web site at www.scalzofamilyfund.org or call Briggs at (401) 486-9859.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Scalzo family.
Volunteers will also accept donations for the silent auction on Wednesday. For more information or to donate an item, visit the Scalzo Family Fund Web site.
Volunteers are also in the process of collecting items for a community-wide yard sale to be held on May 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish, 1409 Park Ave., Woonsocket. In the event of rain, the yard sale will be held on Sunday, May 18.
All proceeds from the yard sale will benefit the Scalzo family.
Volunteers are currently collecting lightly used furnishings and household items for the yard sale. Donations may be dropped off on Saturdays from 8 to 11 a.m. and on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. until May 17 at the Kendall-Dean building, located at 83 Greene St., Slatersville.
Organizers are not accepting books or clothing for the yard sale.
Officials also welcome volunteers of all ages to join. Individuals interested in volunteering for any collection or event may visit the Scalzo Family Fund Web site for more information.