ITEM PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Brett Johnson holds a bracelet given to Lynn firefighters from Lynn English students.
BY THOR JOURGENSEN
LYNN — Firefighters received a welcome boost Friday from a holiday season marked by tragedy when English High School students thanked them for saving lives — including English senior Jeannetty Aquino Cruz — while fighting the Dec. 4 Bruce Place fire.
Denny Santana and fellow students met with 15 firefighters who battled the blaze and handed them black and white “hand in hand” bracelets they sold to raise money for fire survivors. Four people were killed in the fire off Fayette Street and the fire’s cause has yet to be officially announced.
“It’s a great feeling to meet people who help you,” said Santana.
Fire Chief James McDonald said firefighters appreciated the students’ generosity and gratitude.
“To have them recognize us turns a bad thing into a good thing,” he said.
Hospitalized following the fire, Aquino Cruz is recovering. She received numerous hospital visits from classmates, said Diane Lynch, English Language Learner department head at English High.
Lynch and fellow teachers Lisa Mercadante and Lissette Katz looked for ways following the fire to help victims’ families and organized the bracelet-selling effort. Students raised more than $1,000 from sales and matched that amount with money donated to a gofundme account — www.gofundme.com/LEHS-Donate
O’Brien Foundation — a longtime English High benefactor — matched student-generated money to benefit survivors.
“The kids did a nice job. They’re loving and giving — it is such a generous school,” said Principal Thomas Strangie.
Strangie said firefighters also made a “significant” donation to the victims fund.
English junior Rayneris Lara said the bracelets signify students’ commitment to providing long-term support for Aquino Cruz and her family.
“Everyone needs to hold hands to make Jeannetty feel good,” she said.
Mercadante said the students’ support for Aquino Cruz and her relatives and expression of gratitude to local firefighters is an example of English High finishing up a year on a high note.
“I’m so proud of the students coming together to support their friends,” she said.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].
