SF neighbors organize donation drive for dog walker whose home burned

Alamo Square residents are continuing to rally around Terry Williams, the longtime San Franciscan and dog walker who has received racist and threatening mail in recent weeks and whose home was gutted in a fire Tuesday.

Forty San Francisco Fire Department crew members responded to the one-alarm blaze, which broke out Tuesday shortly after 11:30 a.m. on the 900 block of Grove Street between Steiner and Fillmore streets. Williams’ parents — his 79-year-old mother and 82-year-old father — were rescued from the blaze and treated at a local hospital.

In total, seven adults and three dogs were temporarily displaced by the fire, and the Red Cross provided assistance to five residents, according to regional communications manager Martin Gagliano.

“Our case workers are in contact with the displaced residents to help them with their short and long-term recovery,” Gagliano told The Examiner. “Since this is an ongoing situation, there could be additional residents requesting support from the Red Cross in the upcoming days.”

SFFD Lt. Mariano Elias told The Examiner on Wednesday that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. He added that four of the seven residents who were temporarily displaced by the fire returned home as of 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Neighbors worked quickly to organize a fundraising campaign to cover post-fire expenses for Williams and his family. As of publication, the campaign had raised more than $48,000 of its $100,000 goal.

Jack Song, the fundraiser’s organizer, shared in an update Wednesday morning that Williams, his parents and his dogs are fine. He added that the neighborhood is organizing a donation drive to collect essentials for the family, which will be held Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The block-party event will feature music, food and a potluck. A wishlist will be shared ahead of the event.

A separate fundraiser was established earlier this month after Williams received racist packages on his doorstep on two occasions. The first package, delivered in late April, included a doll that was covered in racist slurs, while the second package delivered earlier this month contained a doll with a noose tied around its neck.

The fundraiser aimed to cover the cost of installing a security system at Williams’ home and additional cameras for the surrounding area. A portion of the money would also cover ongoing legal expenses and wage losses. The campaign had raised more than $95,000 toward its $100,000 goal as of Wednesday afternoon.

The San Francisco Police Department opened investigations into both cases, which are being classified as hate crimes. Officer Kwanjai Laokwansathitaya said Wednesday that the investigation is still open and active and that he couldn’t share additional details or updates with The Examiner.

Neither the police nor the fire departments have confirmed whether Tuesday’s blaze was connected to the two incidents. Anyone with information was asked to contact SFPD.

“We are beyond indebted to SFFD for acting so quickly. These heroes saved a life,” neighbor Katrina Queirolo, who helped organize the security-system fundraiser, wrote Wednesday in a campaign update. “And additionally, a massive thank you to everyone who came out to help yesterday — the support is appreciated more than you know.”

Queirolo said that in the short term, the campaign was looking for volunteers near Alamo Square who could house Williams and his three dogs temporarily to keep him close to home.

“The process to recover and rebuild is going to be long and expensive,” Queirolo said. “Every dollar helps.”