Santerre invites fire victims to dinner
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — When tragedy strikes, victims often feel alone and wonder who will come to their aid. In the case of an Easton family (Tompkins and Tarbox) recently displaced when their home was destroyed by fire, a good Samaritan came in the form of Andy Santerre.
Santerre took time during the AMHC Andy Santerre Sno-Run Dinner/Auction to share his experience in meeting the family.
“Last night when I checked in and got my key at the Hampton Inn, I saw a family near the elevator. I asked if they were here to snowmobile. That’s when they told me about the fire. I asked if there was anything I could do. They wouldn’t accept money, stating the Red Cross had already provided them with funds,” said Santerre.
At that point, Santerre realized there was in fact something he could do for them.
“I realized we’d had some cancellations and that the meals were already paid for, so I invited the Tompkins and Tarboxes to attend the dinner. They’re here with us tonight,” Santerre said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them. We wish them the best of luck,” said Santerre.
The kindness of strangers continued for the family. Once staff at the Hampton learned of the circumstances that brought them to the hotel, officials made the decision to comp their room (a family friend had initially paid for a night at the hotel). When the family moved to another hotel paid for by the Red Cross — a facility that did not include breakfast — staff at the Hampton invited them back for breakfast.
