By Bonnie Adams, Government Editor
?Marlborough – Now that the shock of a devastating fire that destroyed three of its transport vans has abated a bit, the nonprofit organization Employment Options, Inc. is focusing on moving forward.
Officials believe a man deliberately set fire to his own car in the Employment Option's parking lot at 82 Brigham St. Saturday, June 16. That fire spread to three of the agency's vans; the man also perished in the fire.
The agency provides vital support to over 200 people from the Metro West area each month, including helping members find jobs, offering family and recreational support and providing daily meals. The vans that were destroyed were used to make over 50 trips a day to pick up members at their homes and drop them off at Employment Options, jobs, and doctor appointments.
After the fire, the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) loaned the agency the use of two vans, and Grace Baptist Church has loaned them one as well.
Employment Options has set up a special fund for those who would like to make a donation to help the agency purchase new vans. Information can be found at:
http://www.employmentoptions.org/support_transportation.shtml .
Donations can also be mailed to: Employment Options, Inc., Attention Donations/Transportation Fund 82 Brigham Street Marlborough, MA 01752.
All donations are tax-deductible.
Toni Wolf, the agency's executive director, said she and the staff were grateful for the community's support.
“Difficult times like this are buffered by the kindness of those around us,” she said. “Thanks to the media coverage, and MWRTA, Grace Baptist Church and Marlborough Greater Programs, we have been able to borrow vans for the next few weeks, until we can figure a longer-term plan.”
