Supervisor wants to raise money for victims of Happy Valley fire
A family who lost everything in a fire that began near their space heater is getting help from multiple sources. 
Kim Masser, the supervisor at the Underground Coffeehouse, said she knows the MacGregor family personally.
Masser and her son, Nyal, decided to put on an arts and crafts benefit in order to raise money for the MacGregor family and their loss.
She said she is working hard to sort out the specific details.
Masser said she and her friend, Tiffany Geaudreau, who has had experience planning benefits in the past, and is helping plan the benefit now, are expecting to have a spot in the Bellingham Art Walk on March 2.
Masser said she does not have a lot of money to donate to the family, but had a lot of time and craft supplies.
“We are just trying to make enough money to make a difference,” Masser said.
Masser said she knows people at Western who have offered to make one or two crafts for the event.
Geaudreau, a Western alumna living in Spokane, said she lived in the Happy Valley neighborhood, where the fire occurred, for many years before moving.
She said planning a fundraiser to help the MacGregor family seemed like the right thing to do after what happened.
Geaudreau said they are looking for support from the community.
“As a Western alumna, I would love to see my fellow Vikings come and support this cause,” Geaudreau said.
Kim Cunningham, the assignments coordinator for university residences, said that Masser approached her about making crafts for the benefit.
She has a wool knit hat, that she will contribute to the benefit, Cunningham said.
She does not know the MacGregors personally, but she knows of them, Cunningham said.
She thinks that what Masser is putting together is an excellent way to give students and staff in the area a way to contribute to the family, Cunningham said.
“I think it is a great way, and it is definitely a more meaningful way than just giving money,” Cunningham said. “It is a great opportunity.”
Nyal Cantrell, Masser’s son, is eleven years old. Cantrell knows one of the girls from the MacGregor family personally from school.
Cantrell said that he and his mom have known the family for a long time, and they are doing what they can to help them financially.
“There is a family in need, and there are many people in need everywhere,” Cantrell said. “And it makes the world a little better place when you can help out.”
Peoples Bank is also accepting donations for the MacGregor family, said Diana Bailey, the bank’s marketing and sales specialist. The Food Co-Op has a donations box set up, Cunningham said.
“Help Support the MacGregor Family in Bellingham, WA” is a Facebook page to keep the community informed about upcoming events to help raise money and awareness for the MacGregor family.
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