St. John’s in Far Rockaway seeks donations to rebuild after fire

After suffering a two-alarm fire on Sept. 10 that damaged the roof and the 10th and 11th floors that houses patients, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway has established a fire recovery and resiliency fund seeking donations to help with the rebuild.

The Friday blaze was contained and then extinguished by FDNY. No one at the hospital was injured and one firefighter suffered a minor injury.

As damage assessments continue and repairs begin, individuals seeking health care can continue to receive services at the hospital, and the emergency department remains open, St. John’s officials said.

The hospital and the St. John’s Medical Group play a key role in providing health care to the residents of the densely populated Rockaway Peninsula, which is home to more than 130,000 residents. The 110-year-old, 257-bed medical facility also serves the Five Towns and surrounding communities.

“The fire did not set us back, it just gave us the fuel to propel forward as we continue to do the great work we have been doing to support the healthcare needs of our community,” CEO Jerry Walsh stated in a news release.

Donations can be made at ehs.org/firefund. Checks can be mailed to: Nancy Leghart, Director of Institutional Giving, 377 Oak Street (Suite 209), Garden City, N.Y. 11530.