NORTH ANDOVER — A class of first-graders is asking the reality television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" to help the victims of the fire that destroyed a city block in Lawrence last month.
Several of the children in Kate Bresnahan's class at Sargent Elementary School said they felt "sad" about the 200 residents forced from their homes early in the morning of Jan. 21. The blaze destroyed 14 buildings on Parker and Market streets in South Lawrence.
They don't know the victims, but the youngsters were quick to note some are children, like themselves. Sargent School students collected personal care items, like shampoo and deodorant, for the victims. Then, 6-year-old Nick Fulgione had a suggestion.
"Why don't we build homes for people?" he asked Bresnahan, his teacher.
"That's when the light bulb went off," Bresnahan said. "Out of the mouths of babes come words of wisdom."
Bresnahan thought of the show on ABC, where a team of designers, contractors and workers rebuild a house in seven days to help a family in need in each episode.
Bresnahan's class penned a letter to send to the show last week. They signed it and drew pictures of houses — some of which are on fire — on an envelope. The teacher plans to mail the letter and the newspaper articles about the fire to the show. She also will write a letter of her own to detail some of the background of Lawrence — her native city — she said.
The students said they want the show to rebuild the entire block, and that they want help for all those who were left homeless.
"Because they need their homes rebuilt because it's very cold out," said Nicholas Rice, 7.
Anthony Passariello, 6, said the fire's devastation reminded him of Lent.
"That's when you think of people that don't have things like we do," he said.
The students said they would miss their pets and toys if their homes burned down and they lost everything they own.
The students made Bresnahan proud.
"I'm just so impressed, this has really affected them," the teacher said.
People who want the show to help someone are asked to create a family casting video and fill out a 20-page application that asks for detailed personal information about the people in need. Bresnahan doesn't know the fire victims, so she cannot provide that information.
She hopes the show will let her know if it is going to consider the class request, then she can take the time to contact the families affected by the fire in order to complete the application, she said.
The teacher also said she wants members of the community to write letters to the show to urge it to rebuild the block.
Extreme dream
Dear Extreme Team,
There was a big fire in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Many people lost their homes. Will you come and build them new homes? Please help these people. We are collecting things for them, but they need new homes. Please write back to us even though we are kids.
From,
Ms. Kate Bresnahan's First Grade Class
