They came from near and far to support a Franklin Township man whose family tragically died in a house fire last month in Franklin Township.

People gathered in full mass at the Boatyard Bar and Grill in Weissport on Saturday to back a fundraising event held for the Wheelock family.

Bob Spadell, staff member at the Boatyard Bar and Grill, thanked owner Ty Poole and his wife, Katie, for opening their doors and letting everyone use their place.

Rick Nauman, president/founder, of Lehigh Valley Community Benefit, presented a $10,000 donation on behalf of his organization for the Wheelock family.

“This is about bringing the community together,” Nauman said. “It’s great to see all you guys here, supporting this cause and helping out during this tragedy for poor Mr. Wheelock.”

Nauman then thanked Ty and Katie for being here and spearheading this cause, and added that if it weren’t for them, it wouldn’t get done.

“Our mission statement is to help families affected by tragedies such as this; we do first responders, animal shelters, stuff like that,” he said. “Every year when we do our benefits, we always have money set aside for something like this, and we decided to donate $10,000 to this gentleman to help ease his pain, to help ease his burden.”

Nauman said the donation was made to help support the family’s cause, and added that Ty and Katie did a great job organizing and hosting the event.

“All the money in the world isn’t going to bring that family back, but we hope that this little bit helps in any sort of way,” he said. “This donation is because of all you guys who support us, and also you’re supporting Ty and Katie and the Boatyard.”

Poole said that the fundraiser reached way beyond Carbon County, as they received donations from Vermont, Minnesota and Florida, and thanked Nauman, his foundation, and all the local businesses, donors and personal people.

“We’ve had a lot of people stopping (and) donating, almost 120 baskets, 50 some gift cards; you can see that’s a community really stepping up,” Poole said. “I love being part of this community, and I love everybody here.”

Poole said the event was held as an outlet for the community to show its support to the surviving family members, first responders, friends and everyone affected by the tragedy.

The event featured a Poker Run, basket raffle; a chicken barbecue meal dine in or takeout, with meal tickets for sale at the Boatyard; and live music by Holy Mackerel Band.

As an added bonus, free smoke detectors were also handed out while supplies lasted.

The fundraiser was held for Matthew Wheelock, who lost his four children and their mother in a fire at 56 Willow St. on Sept. 30.

Poole said the Boatyard will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to Matthew Wheelock, who was at work the night of the fire.

He said the hope is that the fundraiser will lead to a yearly event the second Saturday of October starting next year.

The Carbon County Coroner’s office identified the victims as Aida Marrero, 37; Kaylee Quevedo, 14; Nathaniel Wheelock, 1; Aiden Wheelock, 5; and Matthias Wheelock, 6.

Their deaths were ruled accidental.

A GoFundMe was previously set up for Matthew Wheelock. That fundraiser was organized by Nicole Wheelock of Tampa, Florida.

She said donations would help with clothing, housing and essentials, grief counseling and rebuilding what was lost.

Nicole Wheelock said Matthew was in Tampa staying with his mother. As of Sunday, $11,264 of the $13,000 goal had been raised.

Another GoFundMe was organized by Cristina Conklin of Lehighton for the Marrero Family Memorial.

Conklin said all proceeds will go to the Miller Funeral Home Inc. in Lehighton, which will be providing the cremation services. Anything left over will go to Aida’s mother, Mayra Brea, and husband, Matthew Wheelock, she said.

Conklin urged anyone unable to donate to consider sharing the GoFundMe page “and keeping us in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”

As of Sunday, $4,030 of the $4,500 goal had been raised.

The residents on the other side of the duplex at 56 and 60 Willow St. escaped injury.

St. Peter’s Community Resource Center, 177 Main Road, Franklin Township, has offered to be a drop-off point for donations for the fire victims.

Items that are being accepted include tooth brushes, tooth paste, women’s medium shirts, women’s small pants, women’s shoe size 8, feminine hygiene products, disposable razors, blankets, dog food, cat litter, cat food, men’s XL shirt, men’s XL pants and men’s shoe size 10.5.

P.J. Whelihan’s Pub and Restaurant in Lehighton hosted a Community Support Night.

State police said that the Troop N Fire Marshal Unit determined there were no suspicious circumstances regarding the fire. The house was a total loss and will be demolished.