Stacy Karafotis estimates some 25,000 people were reached through social media to provide help to a Garden City family forced out their home when it caught fire early Wednesday morning.

"They don't have anything. We have to help," said Karafotis, who with her business partner, Craig Poisson, owns and operates Lucky Dog Luxury Daycare and Boarding, 5921 Middlebelt Road.

Literally within about 10 minutes of containing the fire, Karafotis put out word seeking help for the family: mom Maggie Downer, dad Dan Wrobbel and daughter, Santana, 10. By Wednesday afternoon, clothing, food, monetary donations and other necessities of everyday life were donated to the family, now living with a relative, following the fire.

By Friday morning, Karafotis called the Observer to let the public know "we have had an overwhelming response!" The family is no longer in need of clothing or household and personal items. But there is still a need for checks, gift cards and even cash to help the family. All donations should be dropped off at Lucky Dog. Checks should be made out to the family.

"This is what Garden City is like," Karafotis said about the big effort to help the family. "We help each other."

On Lucky Dog's Facebook page, Karafotis posted an update on the family: "The family is very thankful for all the other donations of food, clothes etc. Their insurance company is helping to supply other things needed and right now they do not have the space to take in larger donations."

The fire that engulfed the family home was devastating enough, but they suffered yet another blow later that day when their beloved dog, Shadow, ran away during the fire. Shadow was found dead at the side of a road after a hit-and-run driver ran over the 80-pound pet. "It is heartbreaking," Karafotis said.

Garden City firefighters received an emergency call about 6:20 a.m., Wednesday, that the family home in the 32300 block of Marquette was on fire. Wrobbel had already left for work, while Downer was relaxing on the couch letting her daughter sleep until it was time to be ready for school, said Garden City Fire Chief Cathy Harman. "She thought she smelled smoke."

Downer went to the garage, opened the door and smoke billowed into the house. She quickly roused her daughter and both ran out of the house, Harman said. Garden City firefighters were joined by others -  members of the Western Wayne County Fire Department Mutual Aid Association - in battling the fire, which engulfed the garage and made its way into the house's attic. Family members were not injured in the fire.

"The guys did a phenomenal job of stopping the fire," Harman said. "The fire was so hot it burned through the garage wall. The fire also was hot enough to melt the exterior material of the house east of the family's home. "It was all melted. They got radiant heat damage."

Meanwhile, Karafotis said Harman called her Wednesday morning to alert her to the missing dog, whose photo was posted on Facebook, urging residents to be on the lookout. Residents had called in sightings of the dog, but then came the call from Karafotis' nephew, a police officer, notifying her he had found a dog dead on the side of the road.

Karafotis knew the dog had a microchip so she went out to where the dog was found and the scan showed it was Shadow. She picked up the dog and then met with another member of the family to inform them. "We took Shadow to Morrison vet. We are paying for his cremation," Karafotis said.

The fire is under investigation by team members from the fire department: Derek LaPerriere, Capt. Gary Gallo and Lt. Randy Keen, as well as from the police department: Det. Sgt. Bill Smith and patrolman Sean Breen.

By Wednesday afternoon crews were on hand to board up and secure the house.

While Karafotis and her business partner continue receiving donations for the Wrobbel-Downer family, Lucky Dog is in the midst of another fundraiser — People and Pets Food and Clothing Drive — Dec. 17. Karafotis is organizing donations of food for people and pets and clothing, particularly winter coats for senior adults. The food is donated to the First Methodist Church food bank. Other items will be used to fill bags to help homeless people in Detroit. Karafotis, Poisson and volunteers will fill the bags and take them to Detroit on Monday, Dec. 19.

Anyone who wishes to donate is asked to drop items off at Lucky Dog.

"We are always doing something," Karafotis said.

jmaliszews@hometownlife.com | 248-396-6620 | Twitter: @jmaliszews