Kateigh Jamieson’s response to a family that lost a home to a fire did not go unnoticed. Last week she was honored as the Town of Montgomery citizen of the month for January.

Jamieson received the award for creating a GoFundMe page to raise money for the Holmes family. At about 2:30 a.m. the day after Christmas, a fire consumed the Rizzo and Holmes families’ two-family home on 118 Plains Road in the Village of Walden, burning all of their possessions. Hours later, Jamieson created the GoFundMe page, which as of Thursday’s meeting had gone on to raise just under $60,000. A resident who lives outside of the Town of Montgomery created a GoFundMe page for the Rizzo family, which has raised approximately $20,000 while the Town of Montgomery Community Response Team has raised over $6,000 to benefit both families. As of Thursday, more than $80,000 had been raised to relieve both families.

“Kateigh and so many others in our community showed how our town responds when our local families are in need,” said Montgomery Town Supervisor Brian Maher. “We always have each other’s backs.”

Jamieson is an involved member of the Montgomery community. She is the owner and photographer Katie and Ben Photography. The company specializes in wedding photography. Jamieson is also the owner of Astoria Hudson, a store which sells women’s clothing and accessories as well as home gifts. Both businesses are located in the Village of Montgomery.

Sherri Holmes is thankful for Jamieson’s help during this difficult time.

“Thanks to Kateigh and her GoFundMe we are able to piece some things back together as we start to move forward in this new year,” she said.

Things also continue to look brighter for the Rizzo family. Scott Rizzo noted that they have received an abundance of clothing. Monetary donations continue to roll in, which the family appreciates.

“I’m in the process of looking for a house and starting over pretty much,” said Scott Rizzo.