SERVPRO of Port Jefferson Offers Support Rebuilding a 9/11 Hero's Home in Islip

2/13/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is dedicated to assisting our friends and neighbors on Long Island. Please donate to the Bobby McMahon gofundme campaign.

SERVPRO® Stands with Our First Responders

In the face of tragedy, communities often rally together to support those who have spent their lives in service to others. The latest example of this unfolds in Islip, New York, for Bobby McMahon, a 9/11 first responder and retired Member of the Department of Correction.

The start of 2024 brought an unforeseen disaster for Bobby—a fire sparked by a faulty boiler ravaged his home, rendering it uninhabitable. This misfortune was compounded by the discovery that his homeowner's insurance had lapsed, an oversight during a particularly challenging time following the loss of his wife to ovarian cancer in 2021.

However, SERVPRO of Port Jefferson offers hope amidst the ashes. Led by owner Risa Kluger, she has generously provided all necessary labor, supplies, and equipment to carry out the basement's clean-out, demolition, and debris removal—a significant stride toward recovery. The spirit of community support is further bolstered by the kindness of John Stein from Restoration Dry Cleaners and Sean Winters from Winter Brothers Carting, who have also donated their services.

From the franchise, "When Mr. McMahon's circumstances were brought to our attention, we realized what a horrible situation he was in. Kevin Citrangola, a Project Manager here, spoke with our owner, Risa Kluger, who promptly approved for him to come up with a plan to give back to and help out Mr. McMahon because he's a police officer and a 9/11 First Responder who's given so much. SERVPRO nationally sponsors the First Responders Children's Foundation and the First Responders Football Bowl, so this is one way SERVPRO of Port Jefferson is doing our share on Long Island."

This story is a testament to communities' gratitude for their first responders. Mr. McMahon, who spent years serving and protecting others, is now receiving a community's embrace. The collaborative efforts of SERVPRO, its trade partners, and numerous individual contributors to McMahon's GoFundMe—nearing $35,000—reflect powerful solidarity.

Mr. McMahon's resilience is remarkable; despite the adversities, he remains thankful that his family, including the family pets, were unharmed in the fire. With the clean-up underway, fellow first responders have pledged to take up hammers and nails to help rebuild the McMahon home—a place of cherished memories and a sanctuary for his children and grandchild.

The GoFundMe, organized by Richard Palmer, Jr., a retired Warden with the NYC Department of Correction and fellow 9/11 Responder, is not just a fundraiser but a call for aiding a fellow brother. Bobby McMahon's story is one of sacrifice, loss, and the unwavering strength of a community that refuses to let one of its heroes stand alone in the face of hardship.

To contribute to Bobby McMahon's home restoration, visit the GoFundMe page here. No matter the size, every donation is a brick in the foundation of a renewed home and hope.