The Ultimate Gift:
Two CSEA Members Put Roof Over Another Members Family's Head

(L-R) Linda Bartha, Katie Rose Allen, Carlton Allen, Trinity Allen & Randy Bartha

It was the 1st day of summer in the year 2000, and it was just another day in the life of Randy and Linda Bartha, of Glen Cove.  But on that day, everything changed, as an electrical fire engulfed the Bartha house, leaving the couple with nothing besides what they had with them at the time of the inferno.

“We really had nothing,” Randy said.  But the generosity from both the Probation and Public Works’ departments at that time was so overwhelming, with clothes, gift certificates, clothes, and even a microwave.

But, the fire left Linda needing numerous operations, and killed several cats that the Bartha’s had.  They owned a number of show cats who were unable to survive that day, but the charity of others around the world through the Cat Fancy website helped pay for burial costs and other necessities.

“We just have so many people to thank,” Randy said.  “And there’s just no way to thank them.”

But, nearly seven years later, the Bartha’s finally got their chance to give back. 

On the night of Sunday, March 4th of this year, Carlton Allen of Roosevelt along with his wife Katie Rose and 4 year old daughter Trinity, suffered a remarkably similar house fire to their home.  The Allen’s were able to salvage a few more things from the blaze, and were unharmed, but it still left them with very little, and without a place to go.

Carlton is a Plant Maintenance Mechanic I at Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant in East Rockaway, and is the son in-law of Public Works Deputy Commissioner Dena Miller.  Miller made DPW secretaries Laura Stein and Jill Murtha aware of this tragedy, and they immediately sent out an e-mail to the whole Public Works Department, requesting any donations possible.

As soon as Randy Bartha, who works for DPW as a Civil Engineer on Prospect Avenue in Westbury, saw this bulletin, he knew he had his opportunity to give back. “I spoke with Linda right away,” Randy said. Linda works as a Probation Assistant in the Probation Department in Mineola, and when she heard of the news she was eager to help, as well.  So, what was so important that the Bartha’s had to offer?

Well, it was a roof to put over the head of Carlton, Katie Rose, and Trinity.  The vacant house of Linda’s mother, who passed away 1 year ago, was available, and the Bartha’s were instantaneous in deciding to lend this to the Allen’s.  Within less than 4 weeks, they were moved into their new home in Hicksville, rent-free for 3 months.  “Words can’t express who much I thank them for this,” Carlton said.  “I will always remember what they did for us.” 

Carlton’s wife Katie Rose was also so incredibly grateful.  “This just shows how nice people really can be,” she said.  Carlton added, “The next day everyone was coming into work with money and gift cards.  Basically everyone had something, no matter who they were or what kind of relationship I had with them.”  In all, $5000 in money, gift cards, clothing, toys and household goods was tallied, with the help of her mother Dena Miller. 

Katie Rose works as a receptionist at a veterinary hospital on the south shore, and also received a great amount of warmth and generosity from her co-workers. 

The Allen’s certainly made it clear that the Barthas didn’t do this for any kind of self fulfillment, and just did it because it was the right thing to do.  “We took it as an opportunity to not just help, but to make a difference,” Randy said. 

The Roosevelt home of the Allen family is in the early stages of repair and 4-6 months seems to be the timetable until they can move back in.  But they are fortunate that they can even consider moving back in that soon, to their home of almost 4 years.  A fire around the corner from their home on Brookside Avenue in Roosevelt the day after swallowed up the whole second floor, and the following day a fire in a 3 story Bronx house killed 9 people. “We just felt so lucky that it wasn’t worse,” Katie Rose said. 

Randy and Linda now reside in Sea Cliff.  They are both CSEA Local 830 members, as Randy has been with DPW for 30 years, and Linda has been in Probation for 37 years.  Carlton is a CSEA member, coming up on 4 years in DPW.