An account has been established at Union Bank and Trust Co. to benefit a memorial at the Bunker Hill Playground, Pottsville, for four children who died last month in a house fire on Pierce Street.
Improvements to the site between Schuylkill Avenue and Pierce Street will include two benches, solar lights, stones inscribed with each child's name, a plaque and possibly a butterfly bush and other landscaping.
"I just want this playground to be perfect," Michelle Yarnell, an organizer, said Monday.
The effort for the memorial started after the four children, Joy Brown, 8, Jeremiah Brown, 7, Elijah Brown, 2, and Emily Brown, 3, died in the May 12 fire at 235 Pierce St. along with their father, Eric Brown, 31, and aunt, Kristina Thomas, 23.
The home did not have smoke detectors. Firefighters did what they could but could not save the family. A dog also died in the fire.
Kelly Brown, the children's mother, Eric's wife and Kristina's sister, was at a neighbor's house doing laundry when the fire broke out. She has since moved to Washington State with family.
Donations for the playground project may be made at any Union Bank and Trust Co. office in Schuylkill County. Offices are in Pottsville, Orwigsburg and New Philadelphia. Donors should ask for the Brown Children Memorial Fund when donating.
Yvonne Mattera, Pottsville, another organizer, said Monday that $1,090 has been received for the cause. Some of the money came from a Chinese auction held earlier this month. A Zumbathon will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Schuylkill Racquet and Fitness Center, Orwigsburg. Cost to attend is $10, with children 12 and under $5. Proceeds benefit the memorial.
Yarnell said 30 people have said they are coming to the Zumbathon. Children can participate in a scaled-down version of the adult exercise and can even play games if they desire, Yarnell said.
Work at the playground is scheduled to start at 9 or 9:30 a.m. July 13. Additional dates have not been set yet, Mattera said. Completion could be in August, she said.
Those interested in donating supplies for the effort can call Mattera at 570-527-6761 or Yarnell at 570-573-3845.
Pottsville fire Chief Todd March said last week a cause of the fire had not yet been determined. He did not return a call for comment Monday.