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Life re-emerges in home's rubble
Friends and strangers offer help after a plane hits the Tate family's house.
By ALEXANDRA ZAYAS
Published June 23, 2006
On an island suburb where neighbors have so much, Cynthia and Tom Tate lost almost everything after a plane crashed into their house last week. Just bits of their children's possessions remained: Ryan's letter jacket from Plant High School; Loren's two favorite teddy bears; charred pages from Tommy's favorite books. "Nothing to start a home with," Cynthia Tate said outside the shell of their home facing the Peter O. Knight Airport. Fortunately, friends have stepped in to help. Loren's friends bought the 10-year-old some bags of new clothes from Abercrombie & Fitch. Tommy's friends made a home video of their shopping trip to send to the 14-year-old, who is away at summer camp. Friends of Ryan, a 21-year-old Marine, wrote encouraging comments on his MySpace.com page: Just wanted to let you know that you and your fam are in my thoughts and prayers. ... Davis Islands businesses have been equally generous. Tom Tate's family owns Tate Brothers Pizza, 233 E Davis Blvd. Serendipity Accents & Gifts filled two collection jars within three days of the fire. D.I. Body and Boutique will host a girls-only pajama party July 13 to benefit the Tates. The $55 admission will include facials, massages, polish changes, drinks and hors d'oeuvres. The Davis Islands Chamber of Commerce helped establish an account at Palm Bank to accept donations. "Insurance doesn't give you a dollar right away," said A.J. Grimaldi, who owns an insurance office across from the pizza shop. "They're still going to have a large gap where they're going to have to fend for themselves." Cynthia Tate said strangers have walked up and given her money. Friends have offered their homes for shelter. Neighbors have helped her dig through rubble. "This community is unbelievable," Tate said. "They're all like family." Jeanne Lavettre from Serendipity said the tight-knit island community will take care of its own. "Everybody knows them. People care about them so much," Lavettre said. "They're a really tight family, and they'll be just fine." Alexandra Zayas can be reached at 813 226-3354 or azayas@sptimes.com.
[Last modified June 22, 2006, 12:12:19]
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