After a Grove City family lost their home in a devastating fire, one neighbor is partnering with a local church to help them rebuild. 

“We see the house every day, and it just breaks my heart … The week before Christmas, losing everything that she's ever had, it just didn't sit right not to do something,” said Lindsey Ficca. 

Mercer County records show the home at 154 East Pine St. has belonged to the Saunders family since at least Jan. 1, 2000. Grove City firefighters responded to a fire at the property on the night of Dec.16. 

According to Ficca, the blaze started on the porch and spread rapidly, destroying the home and everything inside, even claiming the life of the Saunders’ beloved dog, Duke. Ficca said she and her husband were able to help all the human occupants out of the house before anyone was hurt.

The Grove City Volunteer Fire Department could not be reached Thursday to confirm the extent of the damage. 

With the help of Transformation Church — located at 120 S Broad St., Grove City — Ficca is now collecting gift cards to donate to the family. She told 21 News in an interview Thursday that Donna Saunders hadn’t been seeking help after the fire, but Ficca felt called to organize the fundraiser anyway. 

“In the community that we're in, everybody knows everybody, and I knew that God forbid something happened to me and my family, that she would be one to want to give a helping hand,” Ficca said. “I just couldn't not want to help.”

According to a Facebook post shared Wednesday, gift cards of any amount for any store will be accepted from Dec. 22, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026 at a designated drop-off box at Transformation Church.

“Even if somebody can't physically drop off a gift card, I'm happy to get in touch with them, and we can make arrangements as needed,” Ficca added.