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Square One Chestnut Street Explosion
 The story made national news: a natural gas leak in a downtown Springfield building led to a colossal explosion. The building was leveled. Square One’s Chestnut Street Children’s Center was located next door – “was” being the key word. Our building and everything inside was destroyed. Had it not been closed the day after Thanksgiving, our Center would have been full of children.
Square One – still recovering from last year’s tornado that leveled our Main Street Children’s Center and Administrative Headquarters – now faces the total loss of another key facility. Practically unimaginable, yet totally true.
Somehow our situation is worse than last year. Many of our children were relocated to the Chestnut Street Center after the tornado, and now their second Square One has been obliterated. What’s more, any “spare” furniture we had went to our King Street Center where other children were relocated post-tornado.
Our emergency response plan has been, as you can imagine, tested. We are responding with concern and compassion for every family and staff member. We are committed to doing all we can in order to mitigate the disruption in services to our families and their children. Yet, when you look at the pictures, visit the site and take in the damage, it is clear – we need financial help. We will not be going back into the center to retrieve any equipment, children’s toys or materials. There are literally millions of tiny pieces of debris. Nothing, nothing is salvageable.
It is a difficult time of year to ask, we know. Yet, we know the history of support this great community has shown us, which is why we are asking. Help if you can. We thank you.
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