Pocono News Section

Deadly Fire Toy Donation

Deadly Fire Toy Donation - Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 6:10PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Wednesday, Feb 6, 2008 @06:10pm EST

MAHONING TOWNSHIP, MONTOUR COUNTY - From the grips of tragedy came a ray of hope Wednesday afternoon. The family of two kids killed last week in a Schuylkill County fire, donated hundreds of toys to sick kids at the Janet Weis Children's Hospital near Danville. The victims' family hopes the donation will keep memory and legacy of their children alive.

As Michael Klinger unloaded bag after bag of stuffed animals, he was practically at a loss for words.

"I really don't have words to express the gratitude to all these people for giving us all of these toys," Michael Klinger said.

More than 800 toys were donated to the family after the funeral mass for their 3-year-old daughter Audrey and 5-year-old son Victor. Both were killed last week in a devastating fire in Ashland. The family's 18-month-old son Gunner survived and they came up with the idea to give back, after he received a plush toy at the fire scene.

"It really calmned him and helped him at the time and I thought just to be able to give that much comfort to every child, every little bit helps," Angie Klinger said.

"I really know there is a God and I'm thankful God left me with one of my babies. We miss the other two. We cry almost every hour," Michael Klinger said.

The Klinger family say they've been getting sympathy cards from all across the country and hospital workers know thier generous toy donation will make a difference.

"It's a way of bringing a little bit of home to here. They will use them as a coping mechanism, something to cuddle with and to love and make their day a little bit brighter," Kelly Hammaker of the Janet Weis Children's Hopsital said.

Even in the midst of coping with a life-changing tragedy, the Klinger family is finding time to think of others.

"Every night before you go to bed, give your kids a hug and kiss. Tell them you love them because you never know if you're going to be able to tell them the next morning. It's something everyone should take away from this," Michael Klinger said.