FAIRBORN — Chad Guess, Fairborn Intermediate School music teacher, lost everything in an apartment fire recently. Close friends and family of Guess have started a GoFundMe to get him back on his feet.
Guess has only been teaching Fairborn students for one year, but the community support has been outstanding in raising over $12,000 in less than one week. Betsy Wyatt, principal of Fairborn Intermediate Schools, also said that they are collecting cash donations in her office from faculty members at the school.
“We’ve been underway with that since Thursday,” she said.
According to Wyatt, Guess is not currently accepting donations of furniture or other clothing, despite losing nearly everything he owned in the fire. Wyatt said a monetary donation would be more helpful and is more straightforward for Guess when it comes to rebuilding from the ground up.
Fairborn City Schools has not made an official donation to Guess’s goal of $30,000, but according to Wyatt many faculty members have come forward to give as they are able. These donations will hopefully pick up as the school year begins and word gets out of this need.
Guess himself, who just moved to the area from Florida last summer, said he is grateful for the community support that he’s received since his arrival.
“It’s a tight-knit community, and people will have your back out there,” he said. “That’s one thing I’ve noticed, you can tell they have pride in their schools.”
Guess said he “lost everything,” save the clothes on his back, in the fire. Even his teaching supplies and information that are crucial for his job were left in his home when it went up in flames. Luckily, Wyatt noted that these materials are insured through the school and they have the means to recover everything Guess needs to return to work, which he is prepared to do once the year begins.
“Betsy has been absolutely amazing,” said Guess. “I’m doing everything I can do be there Monday for our professional development day.”
According to Guess, Wyatt called just a few hours after the fire to make sure he was alright and give her support to his unfortunate situation.
In addition to the GoFundMe page, there are several more ways to support this teacher in his time of need. Guess has a Venmo account—@CAGuess75—which he said he has received a few donations, and local restaurant Giovanni’s is set to host a fundraising dinner on Aug. 22, where half of the $12 fee will go to helping Guess recover.
The dinner fundraiser will be Tuesday, Aug. 22 from 5-7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online and redeemed the night of the event, located at 215 W. Main Street, Fairborn.
According to Guess, the $30,000 goal on his GoFundMe was calculated based on everything he lost and what he is expecting to receive from his insurance claim. This amount will, hopefully, break even for Guess what he lost in the fire.
“Anything can help,” said Guess. “I hate to ask for help, but I’m starting over.”
Contact Ethan Charles at 937-502-4532.
