Thank you to the Warwick community

Dear friends, neighbors, and family,

Rich, Sheila, and Michaela Polulak want to express our sincerest thank you to each and every one of you who extended your hands, hearts, thoughtfulness, generosity and so many expressions of kindness and support to us in the minutes, hours and days following the fire that took destroyed our home on Applefest Sunday, Oct. 14, at 2 Jonathan Court.

It was a horrifying day for us to say the very least. It was a devastating scene that unfortunately will remain in our minds for quite some time to come.

We were very fortunate to have all been out of the house, at Applefest, as the fire spread so rapidly, taking away our home of 20 years in just minutes, along with our loving dog Cocoa.

Literally we were left with the clothes we wore that morning, losing behind us everything we had.

We, however, are blessed to be living in Warwick, a community that immediately rallied to our side offering clothing, food, gift cards, a place to live, surrounded immediately by friends and neighbors expressing feelings of comfort and shoulders to hug and cry on.

How lucky are we to have so many friends, neighbors, total strangers express their support at a time when we felt in shock at what had just happened to our lives?

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Warwick and Pine Island fire companies, Warwick Police, and Warwick Rescue workers who gave their best efforts to save our home and our lives on a day when they should have been enjoying and celebrating with their families on one of Warwick’s biggest and brightest days of the year.

Thanks also to Price Chopper, Shop Rite, C&D Bagel, Warwick Valley High School, Warwick Valley Middle School and so many others who spared no effort in trying to make our family comfortable and reassured at a time of utter despair by having fund raisers, collecting clothing, providing gift cards, boxes of food and hugs of support.

Thank you all.

Thank you also to the cheerleaders from Monroe-Woodbury, our arch rival in sports, for raising clothing for Michaela, Sheila and I.

It’s difficult to name everyone when there were so many who expressed their support, so please forgive us if we missed anyone.

How lucky are we?

The answer: Very!

Yes, we lost our home, but despite this terrible loss, you have all reinforced our commitment to Warwick as a community of family. We will be forever grateful to all of you!

Thank you all again so very much and may you all have a Merry Christmas and a happy healthy, New Year! God bless!

With love,

Rich, Sheila and Michaela Polulak

2 Jonathan Court, Warwick