Captain Alan Alexander, owner of York River Charters, is holding an auction to raise funds for a Gloucester family that lost everything in a recent fire – including three young children.
Alexander was driving to the gym in the early hours of Jan. 16 when he saw emergency vehicles on Summerville Drive, very close to his home. When he got settled at home and turned on the news, he discovered that the scene he had passed earlier had a tragic outcome.
An early morning fire at the home of the Grogan family, who lived near Alexander, led to the deaths of Thomas, age 7; Michael, age 2; and Gabriel, who was 6 months old; and their grandmother, Virginia Grogan. The children’s mother and grandfather survived the fire. The children’s father was at work at the time, according to a story in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The horrible news about a family that lived so close to him moved Alexander to hold two fundraising auctions to help the survivors as they try to cope with life after the fire. “That was just about two-and-a-half minutes from my house – the news hits close to home,” he said.
“I asked myself what I could do to help these folks. This isn’t much, but at least it’s something.”
Alexander is auctioning off a full-day fishing charter for up to four gueststhat can be taken anytime in the next 12 months. Bidding started at the full price of a day-long charter, $495, and is currently up to $600.
All proceeds will go to the Grogan Family Fund. The fund is administered on behalf of the family by their church, Bellamy United Methodist Church, in Gloucester.
“This is an opportunity to share your family’s blessings with another family at the time of their greatest need,” Alexander wrote on the auction webpage. “Please let the love in your heart spill over in your bidding.”
Alexander also owns an eco-tour company, Bay Country Kayaking, with his daughter Shannon. They will offer a paddling adventure package for up to four people, to be taken between April 1 and Sept. 30. The bidding on kayak trips starts at $200.
Both auctions will end at noon on Feb. 14.
Bid on the fishing trip auction by calling Alexander at (757)645-8397 or by emailing him at [email protected] with “Grogan Auction” in subject line. Bid on the kayak trip by calling him at the same number or by emailing [email protected] with “Grogan Auction” in subject.
