'Help Gives Hope'

WARWICK — Just before midnight on April 12, Steven and Karen Cooper barely escaped with their lives as a fire destroyed their home and artist studio in a 200-year-old renovated barn in Westtown.

Shortly afterwards, Karen Cooper, 73, who suffered from a respiratory illness, had a heart attack while driving her car. She had major injuries and passed away a few days later.

Steven Cooper, a metal smith artist who sells jewelry and his sculptures of metal flowers to galleries and garden throughout the country, also lost all his art works collected over a lifetime as well as all his tools and equipment.

The series of events, especially the loss of his wife, have been devastating. And to make matters worse, the insurance company is fighting the claim.

The local artist community and others, however, are rallying to help him. They are holding a fund raiser and silent auction on Sunday, June 29.

The event, "Help Gives Hope," will be held at the Warwick Community (Doc Fry) Center, 11 Hamilton Ave., in the Village of Warwick from 1 to 5 p.m.

In addition to the silent auction of artwork by local artists, there will be live performances by local bands, food and beverages.

The suggested donation is $25. Advanced tickets are available at Artworks, 2 Oakland Ave., Warwick.

For those who cannot attend, there is a "donate" button at www.SilverRoseClaycom that brings you to Paypal and it will go to Steve Cooper.

Or make checks payable to Steve Cooper PO Box 1773 Amdurer Road, Westtown, NY 10998.

- Roger Gavan