Community rallies behind State College tattoo artist following house fire
Community members are rallying behind a State College tattoo artist who was recently displaced following a fire.
A GoFundMe campaign has already raised more than $9,000 to benefit Ikonic Tattoo artist and co-owner Joshua Kunkel and his 9-year-old daughter, Kiara, after a Jan. 28 house fire. The fundraiser is expected to help them replace essential belongings and begin rebuilding, according to Kunkel’s sister, Jenna Gill, who started the online campaign.
“Thank you in advance for your kindness, generosity and support during this very difficult time for Josh and Kiara,” the GoFundMe page reads. “It truly takes a village, and they are so grateful for theirs.”
Ikonic Tattoo spread word of the fundraiser on Saturday with a post on its Facebook page. There, the downtown State College shop encouraged interested community members to support Kunkel and his daughter by booking tattoo appointments with him, donating to the GoFundMe drive or directing funds to his Venmo account (@jfkart).
In a follow-up post on Sunday, Ikonic Tattoo said Kunkel and his daughter no longer need donations of clothes or shoes, but other donations, including those of physical goods and kitchen utensils, are still accepted.
The post also warned community members to avoid scams — including someone allegedly soliciting donations to a Venmo account made to look like Kunkel’s.
“Scammer aside, we are SO AMAZED by all of the support and love that has been pouring in!” the post reads. “We truly appreciate YOU ALL and are so thankful for such a loving community. Thank you all so much for supporting Joshua and his daughter during such a difficult time.”
Alpha Fire Company responded to Kunkel’s home along the 1200 block of Old Boalsburg Road last Wednesday evening. Crews transmitted a second alarm to receive assistance from the Boalsburg Fire Company amid frigid conditions, as reported by StateCollege.com.
The fire was largely contained to the home’s first floor, which sustained heavy damage, officials said. The house is considered uninhabitable due to the damage, while the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Kunkel and his daughter were not home at the time of the fire, officials told StateCollege.com. Their two pet cats died during the blaze.
You can find the GoFundMe campaign by visiting www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-joshua-and-kiara-after-house-fire.
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