“How do you put you life back together after something like this,” Michelle Nelson, one of the victims from the Four Seasons apartment fire last month, questioned yesterday.

“Slowly.”

Three Holliman Elementary families were victims of the Four Seasons fire and another Wyman family experienced a fire at their Narragansett Parkway home. In an effort to help those families affected, Warwick Public Schools, the City of Warwick and the fire department are coming together to host a series of fundraisers at all elementary schools, which kicked off yesterday afternoon at Holliman.

The fire department visited Holliman with two trucks for Touch a Truck for a Buck, where the student population was able to not only explore the trucks and use the hose but was also given fire safety and prevention tips. A bucket was set up in the back of one of the trucks, where students and teachers alike were able to make donations.

Because many of the children affected are in one of Warwick’s elementary schools, Director of Elementary Education Lynn Dambruch wanted to begin a fundraiser, reaching out to Mayor Scott Avedisian and the fire department that were quick to jump on board.

“This is really a joint effort, to come together and do some good,” Dambruch said. “I hope the students affected know that the community cares about them and understands their loss. We want them to know they aren’t alone. I think it will mean a lot to have their classmates and community rally to support them.”

She said families can lose “everything” in a fire and this fundraiser is just a small way to help.

Amber Betters did lose everything in the Four Seasons fire and has since been staying with friends while looking for new apartments. Her son John Oliver goes to first grade at Holliman.

Nelson, whose daughter Kaitlyn attends second grade at the school, moved into a place only three streets down from where the fire occurred. She said going back even just for mail is haunting because you can still smell the smoke.

Both said even before the district decided to host a fundraiser the fellow parents and teachers at the elementary school came forward with cash, gift cards, clothing and other supplies to support the family in their time of need.

“This has been amazing. This has helped us more than they could ever know,” Betters said. “I’ve never had so many people care so much about me and my family in my life.”

Principal Joseph Coffey said the community has really stepped up to ensure the families recover as quickly as possible.

“We have a very generous group here,” Coffey said. “A lot of these families don’t have much themselves, but they consistently go out of their way to give.”

Avedisian said, “This whole initiative was driven by Director Dambruch and the whole district wanting to do something for their own. It’s a great initiative to be a part of.”

He said this was a great opportunity for the department to give back to those who have been a part of the Warwick schools family. Students could be seen dropping dollar bills into the bucket, where others had envelopes with several bills to donate to the cause. All the children were smiling at the chance to play around the trucks.

Assistant Fire Chief James McLaughlin explained that the kids weren’t the only ones having fun but that the firemen present were having just as much.

“Our guys leave these types of scenes with a heartless feeling. You’re witnessing the destruction of families possessions, sometimes their whole lives,” he said. “This is a good way for us to do a small part in seeing those lives put back together.”

The Touch a Truck for a Buck will be run throughout October, which also happens to Be Fire Safety month, going to all 16 elementary in the next two weeks. Flyers will be sent home with students prior to the visit.

There has been discussion, that if this fundraiser is successful, to make Touch a Truck for a Buck an annual event. The donations received every year would establish a fund that could be distributed should a family with school-aged children within the district experience a fire.

“I think it’s important for students to come together and support those affected in a time of need. It’s good to get students thinking of others at a young age,” Dambruch said.