EDMONDS – Even on the days Tom Beardsley had chemotherapy, he’d raise money for his son Noah’s football team or sit on the sidelines at Noah’s games.
“When we heard about the fire at their house, we wanted to help,” said Kelly Dougan, president of the Mountlake Terrace Youth Athletic Association junior football league.
A coach in the league donated $1,000 to the family Thursday, and the team is collecting donations for Beardsley, his two sons and daughter at their next three games. They’re also giving Noah new football gear.
That’s just one of the many ways people throughout Snohomish County have offered to help the Beardsleys, who narrowly escaped from a fire that gutted their home early Tuesday.
“My phone has been ringing quite a bit today,” said Coni Conner, a disaster services specialist at the Snohomish County chapter of the American Red Cross.
One woman offered to rent the Beardsleys a home. Other callers offered furniture.
Sherrie Brown of Everett donated to the fund set up for the family, saying, “I think it’s an obligation for all of us to help the less fortunate.”
Beardsley, who has inoperable prostate cancer, said he’s grateful for the assistance, especially the clothing and toys for his children.
“Everyone has been so helpful,” he said.
One neighbor gave him a Buzz Lightyear Halloween costume for his son Cedric, 8. Another gave a toy helicopter to Noah, 12. Both boys are developmentally disabled.
Chloe, 16, said her friends have helped, too.
“People have brought us food and clothes, and my mom’s boss even bought us full outfits,” she said.
The family has fire insurance but is still looking for a home or apartment to rent near the kids’ schools.
“My dad isn’t doing too well, and we just want the best for him,” Chloe said. “It’s been hard, but we’re getting help from people.”
Reporter Katherine Schiffner: 425-339-3436 or schiffner@heraldnet.com.
How to help
Donations are being collected for the Beardsley family at all Washington Mutual branches.
To donate furniture or other items, call Coni Conner at the American Red Cross, 425-252-4103, ext. 18.
The Mountlake Terrace Youth Athletic Association junior football league will collect donations for the Beardsleys 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at Mountlake Terrace High School; Nov. 6 at Lynnwood High School; and Nov. 12 at King’s High School in Shoreline.
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