Evergreen Park Community Rallies Around Family Who Lost Home In Fire

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — A loyal sister has started a GoFundMe campaign for her big sister, whose family was displaced by a house fire in Evergreen Park.

“My sister Barb is amazing,” Andrea Guglielmo told Patch. “I wouldn’t even call her my sister. I’d call her my best friend. Her kids are mine, and my kids are hers. If I needed the shirt off her back, she’d give it to me.”

Barb Kalafut, a long-time Evergreen Park resident and school bus driver, her fiancé, Joe, adult son David, and his children, Madison, 9, and Jayden, 6, had just sat down to supper on Feb. 6 when they began to smell smoke. Before the family could comprehend what was happening, the entire second floor of their house in the 9300 block of South Trumbull Avenue, was engulfed in flames.

>>> GOFUNDME: Support For Barb Kallafut And Her Family After Tragedy

The family managed to escape the house safely. Barb and David carried out their dogs, Blu and Mishka. David was making a mad dash upstairs to the second-floor inferno to rescue their beloved cats, but unfortunately, Peanut and Smokey perished.

The grandchildren, ages 5 through 9, ran out of the house without coats or shows. One of the children yelled, “all my memories are there.”

“They were all hysterical,” Andrea continued. “Such a terrible thing for children to witness – an image of their home burning – something that none of them will ever be able to forget.”

The house is a total loss. The fire was so intense that the children's beds melted.

Barb’s daughter, Amanda, and her three little girls also shared the house, but weren’t home when the fire broke out. In total, four adults and five children under ten lived in the house. The entire family is temporarily living in a hotel near Midway Airport.

“Barb and her family, who have shown incredible strength in the face of a horrific event,” Andrea wrote on GoFundMe. “My sister and her family have lost absolutely everything, but their love for each other will carry them through this difficult time.”

Barb has been overwhelmed by the outpouring from the Evergreen Park community for her and her family.

“From [Dist. 124] to the fire and police departments, Evergreen Park has been so amazing to my sister’s family,” Andrea told Patch. “I live in Oak Forest, I have never seen such people come together for people they don’t know. Evergreen Park takes care of their own.”

For now, Andrea is just trying to help her sister and her family get back on their feet, from clothing, shoes and asthma machines to school supplies and backpacks. Donations can be dropped off at 7-Eleven, 3440 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park, where David works.

People have been dropping off new pajamas for the children, clothing to change into, even snacks and food for the dogs. Another generous person provided dinner for the family.

“Wow!!!! I don't even know where to begin. I am crying as I write this. Thank you ALL for your donations, gifts, and very kind words. My sister and her family are so very touched. My sister says thank you to all for your generosity. Today was a hard day for her as everything is starting to sink in,” Andrea said in one of her frequent GoFundMe updates.

To make a monetary donation to Barb and her family, visit “Support For My Sisters Family After Tragedy” on GoFundMe. You can also email Andrea at mamagug3@gmail.com for clothing sizes, housing leads, etc.