Donation Account Set Up for L. Saucon Fire Victim

UPDATE: Donations of clothing and basic home supplies for Christina Ott can be dropped off at Yianni’s Taverna, 3760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem. For more information about needed items, or to coordinate a donation, please call Yianni’s at (610) 867-8821 and ask for Priscilla.

A donation account has been established on behalf of a woman who lost her home and possessions in a Lower Saucon Township apartment building fire last month.

Christina Ott and her boyfriend were residents of the building at Old Philadelphia Pike and Seidersville Road that was destroyed in a Feb. 19 blaze.

According to Melissa Zanakis–a co-owner of Yianni’s Taverna who has been accepting clothing and other donations on Ott’s behalf at the restaurant–she had only been living there a few months, was without renter’s insurance and is “really struggling to make ends meet.”

She added that Ott–who works as a waitress at a local diner–is “extremely grateful for the donations” that have been dropped off at Yianni’s.

The fund for Christina Ott has been established at Lafayette Ambassador Bank, 3727 Rt. 378, Bethlehem.

“Anyone can stop in and make a donation at any branch with her name,” Zanakis said.

In the wake of the fire, several GoFundMe campaigns were established on behalf of another tenant of the apartment building, Sarah Donnelly.

To date nearly $28,000 has been raised online for Donnelly, who lost not only her home and belongings, but also a number of beloved pets in the fire.

Police and fire investigation officials have not yet announced what caused the fire on Old Philadelphia Pike.

Likewise, a house fire that claimed the life of an elderly man on E. University Avenue in early February is still under investigation.