Taft Street is like a lot of streets in Revere with two-family homes wedged side by side along the length of the street with manicured, postage stamp lawns or small porches in front of the houses. But Taft is also unlike any other street in Revere as a place where people endured frightening destruction and banded together to carry on.
The July 2014 tornado that turned a sunny summer day into a few minutes of mayhem cut a swath of damage from Revere Beach Parkway down Broadway. Homes on Taft Street were damaged but neighbors and city leaders rallied to provide shelter for residents in need of a temporary place to stay and helped neighbors who sustained damage file insurance claims and apply for assistance to rebuild.
No one died in nature’s freak attack on Revere in 2014 and the rebuilding effort in the tornado’s wake grew into an opportunity to celebrate the city’s strength and its proud residents. That demonstration of grit and determination was on display again last Sunday when city residents descended on the Elks Club on Shirley Avenue to help June 13 fire victims who lost homes, valuables and peace of mind — but not their neighbors and the support of a generous city.
The Elks hosted the fundraising afternoon for the 18 Taft Street residents left homeless by the fire. But the thoughts and words of people who attended the event focused on renewing Taft Street just as the focus of the city three years ago focused on rebuilding from the tornado.
Sunday afternoon brought together people to contribute to the City of Revere/Taft Street Relief Fund. Donations reflected the generosity of people across the city including city workers and others who donated to the fund. The mayor’s office and People’s United Bank accepted donations with more anticipated.
Sunday’s fundraiser highlighted Revere’s generosity but it also allowed people who fled the fire and spent hours staring at their destroyed homes to see and feel an outpouring of support from neighbors and residents across Revere.
Some of the people who donated sustained tornado damage three years ago or survived their own frightening and costly disasters. They offered their support and strength on Sunday to Taft Street fire victims.
The Elks event also gave fire victims the chance to talk about the terror they faced and recall how they escaped from the fire. They got the chance to talk about the losses they endured and to express gratitude for the support they received from firefighters and neighbors.
Revere’s outpouring of support last Sunday is a reminder that tragedy can strike anytime and anywhere, leaving devastation in its wake. But the show of support at the Elks is also proof generosity is a strong trait in communities like Revere.