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Community Rallies To Help Riverview Couple After House Fire

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 9, 2009

RIVERVIEW - Larry Bunkley and Tina Henderson figured they had a couple more months before they had to find a new home, with foreclosure pending on the house they shared with their baby girl.

Then, a grease fire Jan. 5 forced them out early.

Standing outside their damaged house off Simmons Loop Road, and wearing clothes donated by the Emergency Care Help Organization, Bunkley and Henderson wondered what the future will hold.

With the loss of most of their possessions, the engaged couple spent four nights in a hotel room offered by the Red Cross, then retreated temporarily to the home of Henderson's 92-year-old grandfather.

The family dog, Peanut, is staying in the fenced yard behind the house.

The community is reaching out to the former U.S. Marine and his fiancée.

Neighbors Paula and John Shepherd were there almost immediately to help care for the baby while the couple lived through a chaotic evening.

"Just when you think everything is bad, people like this come out of the woodwork to help you," Henderson said, teary eyed as she held her daughter.

The Riverview Chamber of Commerce is asking members for help.

Ruskin businesswoman Stacy Self has agreed to coordinate any other help the community might offer. To assist with cash donations, gift cards or other help, e-mail Self at stacyself@hotmail.com.
Donations can be dropped off at Home Service Center, 1601 U.S. 41 S., Ruskin.

"The main thing, after getting help from [Emergency Care Help] and the Red Cross, is we need to find a place we can afford to live," Bunkley said.

The Brandon Foundation is working to find them an apartment.

"I'm challenging the community to do what they can for this family," Self said.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566 or yhammett@tampatrib.com.

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