A local business owner organized a fundraiser for the students and their families that were affected by a house fire two weeks ago. The fundraiser was last Thursday from 2 p.m to 7 p.m. at the McDonald’s on 133 Main St.
Twenty percent of all dine-in, drive thru, and mobile order sales went towards helping the dozens of people who were left without a home by the devastating blaze. In total, the fundraiser raised $2,000, with $960 coming from sales made during the event and another $1,040 from Lindsay Wallin, owner of nine McDonald’s in the North Shore area.
Peabody has seen an outpouring of support from the community in the weeks since the fire on 100 Main St. The Department of Health announced last Tuesday they had met their capacity for clothing donations only days after asking the public for their help. With the generosity of the city and its inhabitants, these families have started the process of getting their lives back on track.
Now, with last Thursday’s fundraiser, residents had another opportunity to give back while getting a meal in the process.
Wallin didn’t hesitate to spearhead an event that would benefit the families going through tragedy.
“When I heard the news about the fire, my first thought was, ‘How can I help?’ Using my restaurant to bring people together to help raise money for those affected was a no-brainer,” she said.
A resident of Lynnfield, locals will know Wallin is no stranger to using her business for charitable means. Just last month, two of her locations raised money for Saugus and Lynnfield schools and their sports teams.
During the height of the pandemic, Wallin also implemented an array of strategies to lend her community a hand. For instance, she offered a free cup of coffee to any customer who got the vaccine and gave her employees a $100 incentive for full vaccination.
“It’s important to me to support the people who live here. I do this consistently throughout the year, fundraising for sports teams, schools and families in need,” Wallin said. “Showing up for my community and supporting the people here is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. It’s important to give back.”
Funds raised from the event went directly to the families of local students whose lives have suddenly been thrown in disarray. “It truly takes a village, and I’m honored to be a part of it and be able to help,” Wallin said.
To give to these families beyond last Thursday’s McDonald’s event, the City Treasury at Peabody City Hall, 24 Lowell St., is accepting donations of money and gift cards to go into an account set up for the victims. In addition, the city is asking any property owners with vacant rental units to email sgrinnell@peabodypolice.org.
