Apr

Our Smithsonian: From the ashes, a new beginning

On Friday, March 26, Officer Sabrina Lester received a call while working as a gallery attendant at the National Museum of African American History and Culture: Her home was burning.

The two-alarm fire at an apartment building near FedEx Field in Landover, Md., started just before 3:00 p.m. and injured one person. The fire was finally extinguished by the Prince George’s Fire Department but 12 families, including Officer Lester, lost everything, including their homes. The cause of the fire remains unknown. (Read more about the fire.)

Fire damage at apartment building — Some of the damage done in the March 31 fire in Landover, MD. (Photo courtesy WTOP News)

The American Red Cross was able to assist the displaced residents with a few days’ stay at a hotel, but after that, they were on their own.

NMAAHC Security Manager Andrea Robinson immediately began gathering Smithsonian resources to assist Officer Lester with the emotional and mental stress of losing her apartment. Debbie Burney of the Employee Assistant Program, Assistance Program Counselor Karen Howard, and Ombudsman Dania Palosky were notified, as were upper management, including Office of Protection Services District Manager Anita Montgomery, Associate Director for Security Operations Garon Dylan, and Acting OPS Director Mike Reese, who sent Officer Lester heartfelt messages.

By Tuesday, March 30, Ms. Burney and Ms. Palosky arranged for Officer Lester to stay at the hotel for additional days and Ms. Burney visited her there to offer counseling and support.

Officer Lester’s colleagues also have come to her aid. She has received monetary donations of well over $1,000, essential items, furniture, and gift cards from NMAAHC supervisors and officers; security managers from other units, former OPS Director Jeanne O’Toole, along with members of Ms. Robinson’s church.

With tears in her eyes, Officer Lester was struck with awe, overwhelmed with joy, and grateful to have such good people in her presence that cared enough to take the time to help her, counsel her, and pick up the phone to call just to see if she needed anything.

Table full of donated items — Some of the donations Officer Lester has received. (Photo courtesy Andrea Robinson)

Lester wiping tears from her eyes — Sabrina Lambert is overcome with emotion at the generosity of her Smithsonian colleagues. Photo courtesy Andrea Robinson)

A little less than a week after the fire broke out, Officer Lester was able to secure housing in a new apartment, with the help of the SI community and the generosity of others.

If you would like to donate to Sabrina Lester’s GoFundMe Campaign, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/twins-lost-everything-in-apartment-fire.

This post is an edited version of an article by Andrea Robinson originally published by the Office of Protection Services newsletter, OPS Insider.