By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – On Oct. 19, 2014, the Wambolt family was attending church services at the Greater Grace Christian Church when a fire broke out at their Parmenter Road home. Since the family was not home, no one was injured in the two-alarm blaze, but sadly their three beloved Cairn terriers all perished in the fire.
Their church and community at large has assisted the family – Doug and Beth and their children, Peter, Heather and Ryan – as they go through the process of rebuilding their home.
And last month, the Wambolts were also invited to be guests of the Olive Garden restaurant in Marlborough. Each December, the restaurant hosts a local family that has undergone a hardship.
“We learned that their home had been destroyed by fire and we wanted to show them that we care and wanted to help them,” said Tom Mason of the Olive Garden.
The couple brought along members of the Youth Fellowship of the Greater Grace Christian Church where Pastor Doug has been the youth pastor for 28 years.
“A lot of people have been very, very kind and offered incredible help,” Doug said. “We are renting a house on Ewald Avenue in Marlborough with the help of Mayor Arthur Vigeant.”
In addition to family members, neighbors and friends, help came from the church, Champion Cleaners, Marlborough High School (MHS) students and faculty, according to Beth.
“And of course the Olive Garden that blessed us, our son and daughter and a lot of hungry teenagers with a night of fun,” she said.
The most recent gift was a 3-week-old Cairn terrier puppy from the New England Terrier Club, given to their son, Ryan, a student at MHS.
Doug has not allowed the fire from keeping him from his volunteer position at the church. He continues to hold two meetings each week, leading fulfilling and fun-filled activities for church youth.
“For the past several months we have been planning and working toward our second trip to Puerto Rico to share the gospel and help with a housing project there,” he said. “We are continuing to hold fundraising events which finance our trips to help where needed.”
Their missionary work has taken them to Brazil, Chile and Argentina, among other places.
“We hold car washes, bake sales, rallies, clean yards, collect and sell metal and many other activities – working together to provide the means to spread the word and principles of God,” he said. “These kids give Beth and me love, purpose and excitement. Life is never boring – and we all work together with patience and caring. They do well in school, understand integrity and they lead more pleasant lives.”
“We realized what a blessing it is to live in Marlborough, which is a wonderful community to live in,” said Beth. “We are very grateful and humbled by so much love and care.”
She added that construction will begin on their new home in the spring.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
A fund has also been set up to help the family at www.gofundme.com/g1mmp8.
Photos/Sue Wambolt