12/26/2025
Update provided by Laura Choi
UPDATE on the Jackson-Jordan Family Christmas Fire (cross posted in community groups):
12/26, 3pm - I just got off the phone with Natasha, here are some updates, timeline, and immediate needs and practical ways to help the Jackson-Jordan family:
1. Natasha is immensely grateful for the outpouring of support from the community, especially by strangers she's never met. Although the shock and grief were real yesterday, she's grateful to be alive. Her son was still awake at 1:30am and woke everyone in time to get everyone out, otherwise, they all might have slept through it and not have been alive right now.
2. The family of five are staying with Natasha's sister in Brooklyn until Sunday. They will be able to check into an extended stay hotel in Bethlehem on Sunday afternoon for 2-3 weeks until insurance is able to find a temporary rental for them that's closer to home. They are still going through the insurance process and awaiting their investigation. The fire is suspected to have faulty electrical causes and started from an outlet in the kitchen. If a rebuild is necessary, which is likely, they might be looking at late summer to move back into their home. Meanwhile, they are still responsible for mortgage and bills on the home.
3. Immediate needs:
- Clothes, but not too many because they don't have storage. I can hold onto donations for them in the meantime so they only have to take what they need until they can get moved into an apartment. Sweatshirts, sweatpants, sweatsuits are best for everyone at this point.
- Suitcases of all sizes in good condition would be helpful
- Sizes: Dad- Men's Large, shoe sz 9.5; Mom- Women's 10 or Medium, shoe sz 7; Madison- 13 yr old, sz women's XS, shoe sz 7; Son- Men's Medium; Daughter- women's XS.
- Undergarments needed! Socks in men and women sizes, underwear in sizes above. Sports bras in Med, Small, and XS
- Feminine products
- Phone chargers - all kinds
- Kitchen supplies for the hotel and subsequently the rental, a few pots, pans, utensils, dishes.
- Wawa or gas gift cards. Gift cards to Target or Walmart for necessities or groceries. Amazon gift cards to replace items and school supplies. DoorDash gift cards for food.
- Madison lost all her birthday gifts from 12/24 and Christmas gifts. She just turned 13 on 12/24. She received mostly sweatsuits but also a new computer for school and new headphones. A new Chromebook or laptop for her before school resumes would be really helpful.
- Crates for 3 mini toy poodles, doggy supplies, treats, and food. They're not picky.
4. GoFundMe donations are helpful, public, and directly benefit the family. However, GFM will take a cut from every donation as a fee to use their platform and they are NOT tax deductible. An alternate way to donate is to Zelle [email protected], where 100% of donations will be given to the family and they are tax deductible (please add as contact first). You can also donate through The Village's Clover platform and receive the same benefits here, https://www.clover.com/pay-widgets/b2654150-8193-406d-af7c-0248bd9b576c?fbclid=IwY2xjawNqNOdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkkX5RauhoHJzzYOtqJ5D0WcLubtVnVPTi4X5cx1i0UJR5UzQ3bx0pZvnbdN_aem_kkz-Uq8SlHm0VTLMpNqHwA. You can also send a check payable to The Village NJ to 552 N Main St, Stewartsville, NJ 08886. These options are shared with the permission from the Jackson-Jordan family. The values of your gifts/donations in gifts or gift cards can also be reported to The Village NJ at [email protected] to receive tax deductible status.
Any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out or through The Village email listed above. I am deeply grateful for all of you who decided to be part of Madison's and the entire Jackson-Jordan's village in their time of need. You are proof that the greatest resource of a community is not wealth, but its people. Thank you!
- Natasha Jordan and Laura Zhang-Choi, community organizer, founder of The Village NJ, and neighbor of the Jackson-Jordan family.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/christmas-morning-fire-destroys-JacksonJordan-family-home
On the dawn of Christmas, my dear neighbor's house burned dow… Laura Zhang-Choi needs your support for Christmas Morning Fire Destroys Jackson-Jordan Family Home
