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Fire victims get helping hand
By Hillary Gavan
hgavan@beloitdailynews.com
Salvation Army, apartment office welcome donations
It was as simple as a pair of dress shoes.
That's what brightened the day of fire victim Kristina Cummings. When she stopped by the Salvation Army on her work lunch hour Tuesday she was wearing a suit, but had black tennis shoes on, topped with hot pink laces.
Finding an appropriate pair of shoes to wear to work was one of the many daily obstacles Cummings is facing since the fire on Jan. 9 at her apartment complex in the 1900 block of Cleora Drive.
Fortunately, Cummings' burden is a little lighter thanks to the help of the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Thomas Haas Investments, Central Christian Church and countless other churches and private individuals who are gathering up goods to help the victims. Agencies have been collecting everything from mattresses, furniture and toys to toiletries, snow pants and even pens and pencils.
“I want to thank the City of Beloit and Salvation Army,” said fire victim Kristina Cummings. “The people helping out have been wonderful.”
Cummings said even her coworkers, friends from former jobs and people in the schools have been rounding up items for her new life.
Life hasn't been easy for Cummings and her four children since the fire. Because she was at work and her children were in school, Cummings said her family was shocked when they couldn't return to their apartment. Everything was gone forever, including Cummings' baby pictures of her children. Although their two parakeets survived, Cummings said they flew away when the building was torn down.
“It's been hard on my kids,” Cummings said. “My 4-year-old keeps asking if our home will burn down.”
Cummings was one of eight families impacted by the fire, according to Thomas Haas Investments Office Manager Cheryl Champlin.
Champlin said the families are all safely housed. Some are being taken care of by their family and a couple of them, like Cummings, have been relocated to another Thomas Haas Investments apartment.
“Most of them are doing pretty good. They are happy we could get them into an apartment right away,” Champlin said.
Champlin applauded people in Beloit for rallying together to give a quick response and volunteers for dropping stuff off at the apartments. CVS Pharmacy has been taking donations and is donating new toys for the kids as well as cleaning supplies.
Champlin said those interested in donating items can bring them to the Colony Court apartment office at 1973 Colony Court, or call the office at 608-365-0633.
While Champlin said plenty of clothes have come in, there is still a need for a couch, table and a bed as well as cleaning supplies, toiletries, dishes, pots, pans, and small appliances.
“These guys have nothing,” Champlin said.
Salvation Army Volunteer Helen Crary has been working with several of the victims, including a 75-year-old man, and has made a list of what each family unit needs. Some of the main items are mattresses, bedding, lamps, end tables and different sized coats and snowpants for children. Those who want to donate items to the Salvation Army for the families or view the lists can contact the Salvation Army, 628 Broad St., at 608-365-6572. Crary stressed that items should be dropped off at the Salvation Army main site, not the thrift store across the street.
Deby Clark from Central Christian Church said the church is asking people to collect items as well and to take them directly to the Salvation Army or the apartments on Colony court.
“One minute these people had all their stuff and the next minute it was gone. It's got to be very traumatic - not just for the adults, but the kids,” Clark said.
For more information on donating to the Red Cross, call the organization at 608-754-4497.
It was as simple as a pair of dress shoes.
That's what brightened the day of fire victim Kristina Cummings. When she stopped by the Salvation Army on her work lunch hour Tuesday she was wearing a suit, but had black tennis shoes on, topped with hot pink laces.
Finding an appropriate pair of shoes to wear to work was one of the many daily obstacles Cummings is facing since the fire on Jan. 9 at her apartment complex in the 1900 block of Cleora Drive.
Fortunately, Cummings' burden is a little lighter thanks to the help of the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Thomas Haas Investments, Central Christian Church and countless other churches and private individuals who are gathering up goods to help the victims. Agencies have been collecting everything from mattresses, furniture and toys to toiletries, snow pants and even pens and pencils.
“I want to thank the City of Beloit and Salvation Army,” said fire victim Kristina Cummings. “The people helping out have been wonderful.”
Cummings said even her coworkers, friends from former jobs and people in the schools have been rounding up items for her new life.
Life hasn't been easy for Cummings and her four children since the fire. Because she was at work and her children were in school, Cummings said her family was shocked when they couldn't return to their apartment. Everything was gone forever, including Cummings' baby pictures of her children. Although their two parakeets survived, Cummings said they flew away when the building was torn down.
“It's been hard on my kids,” Cummings said. “My 4-year-old keeps asking if our home will burn down.”
Cummings was one of eight families impacted by the fire, according to Thomas Haas Investments Office Manager Cheryl Champlin.
Champlin said the families are all safely housed. Some are being taken care of by their family and a couple of them, like Cummings, have been relocated to another Thomas Haas Investments apartment.
“Most of them are doing pretty good. They are happy we could get them into an apartment right away,” Champlin said.
Champlin applauded people in Beloit for rallying together to give a quick response and volunteers for dropping stuff off at the apartments. CVS Pharmacy has been taking donations and is donating new toys for the kids as well as cleaning supplies.
Champlin said those interested in donating items can bring them to the Colony Court apartment office at 1973 Colony Court, or call the office at 608-365-0633.
While Champlin said plenty of clothes have come in, there is still a need for a couch, table and a bed as well as cleaning supplies, toiletries, dishes, pots, pans, and small appliances.
“These guys have nothing,” Champlin said.
Salvation Army Volunteer Helen Crary has been working with several of the victims, including a 75-year-old man, and has made a list of what each family unit needs. Some of the main items are mattresses, bedding, lamps, end tables and different sized coats and snowpants for children. Those who want to donate items to the Salvation Army for the families or view the lists can contact the Salvation Army, 628 Broad St., at 608-365-6572. Crary stressed that items should be dropped off at the Salvation Army main site, not the thrift store across the street.
Deby Clark from Central Christian Church said the church is asking people to collect items as well and to take them directly to the Salvation Army or the apartments on Colony court.
“One minute these people had all their stuff and the next minute it was gone. It's got to be very traumatic - not just for the adults, but the kids,” Clark said.
For more information on donating to the Red Cross, call the organization at 608-754-4497.
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