ORANGE — From the moment a passing motorist banged on the door, alerting the Swedbergs of a growing house fire, good Samaritans have been helping the family recover from losing their home.
Several fundraisers have raised at least $20,000 following the tragedy, and now a comedy show — organized by someone who’s never met the Swedbergs — will benefit the family.
This Saturday, comedians Jerry Caruso, Bob Sheehy, Paul Durrance and Josh Grosky will put on the show at the Orange American Legion, 40 Daniel Shays Highway. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person, $25 per couple.
Space is limited, and tickets are available at Trail Head Outfitters and General Store in downtown Orange, or by sending a direct message through the event’s Facebook page, “Comedy Benefit for the Swedberg Family,” as well as at the door.
“We really would like to see everybody there,” said organizer Aimee Smith. “It’s about loving thy neighbor.”
The Swedberg family lost their 120 Moss Brook Road home on the morning of Aug. 14. Will Swedberg and his 5-year-old son, Alex, were able to escape the building through a window, having been alerted by a passerby, and his parents and sister were out of town at the time of the fire, but the house was lost entirely.
According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the fire was started because debris that was being burned outside was not fully extinguished, spreading to outer buildings and then the main home.
Since then, there has been an outpouring of community support. Online “GoFundMe” campaigns by Nathan Holesovsky and Louis Bushay have raised $11,515 and $3,101, respectively, and Witty’s Funeral Home has raised more than $5,300, according to owner Jeff Cole.
Organizing the comedy show, Smith said, was just the “right thing to do,” even though she has never met the Swedbergs — her closest connection to the family is that her husband’s employee’s friend’s friend is Will Swedberg.
“I’ve never met them; I don’t know them,” Smith said. “It’s just what we should do, come together, and there’s not enough of that in the world.”
Smith said making the benefit event a comedy show was a natural decision. She has experience organizing parties and is friends with stand-up comedian, celebrity impressionist, songwriter and actor Caruso, who has appeared at notable comedy clubs including The Comedy Factory and has shared the stage with comedians including Larry the Cable Guy and Lisa Lampinelli. Caruso was able to get the other comedians, Sheehy, Durrance and Grosky, on board, she said.
In preparation for the event, Smith has been collecting gift cards and gift certificates as donations from local businesses to hold raffles at the show, and said she’s been impressed by the generosity of business owners. More inspiring, she said, is the amount of money raised by other donations.
“I really was never too thrilled about moving to Orange,” said Smith, originally from Templeton. “There’s just this idea there’s some not great people. After going door to door, and meeting people who want to donate, it’s amazing. It’s showed how big of a heart they have.
“It’s amazing how well the community comes together for these things,” she said, noting she had never seen such a rally of support for a local family until moving to Orange.
Cole, at Witty’s Funeral Home, said his fundraiser for the Swedbergs has been more successful than anticipated, comparing it to several fundraisers Witty’s has held in the past.
“It speaks volumes that we’re still a charitable place and the rest of the world hasn’t crushed us,” Cole said. “We’re still old school, and shouldn’t change that for anything in the world.”
According to Smith, Saturday’s event is “PG-13” and better suited for adults. Children may come if necessary, but must leave at 9 p.m.
Reach David McLellan at dmclellan@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 268.