A GoFundMe donation page is now online, collecting donations for the family who lost a mother and wife in a fire on Tuesday.
Loree Dubuque died when she went back inside the house to rescue a family pet, while her husband Michael VanGool and their two young sons survived.
Though he doesn't know the family personally, Bill Henthorn says he felt compelled to help, and set up the donation page.
"I'm not connected to the family directly, my daughter attends school with the two boys at Spring Valley Elementary, she kind of said something the other day about helping, and that's what kind of put the bug in my ear," he said.
Henthorn says he's had first-hand experience of what it's like to raise kids after the death of their mother.
"My own personal situation - many years ago, my kids lost their mom. And I remember the outpouring of love and support from the community helped us get through that difficult time. So I know what it's like to kind of go through this," he said.
He says that while he'll be happy to meet the family someday, they need their space right now.
"I'll leave that up to them, right now is this a very private time for them. I've been in contact with somebody that's very close to the family, and I've already talked to them, so they appreciate all my efforts," he said.
"I'll leave that up to them, it's a very private moment. I respect that, I remember how we felt, we didn't want to talk to everybody either. When the time is right, if that's what they want, then I'll do so at that point".
If you'd prefer to donate in person instead, you can go to the TD Bank at Plaza 33 in Rutland, where an account has been set up.
The account number is: 6535920