As some of you may know, there was a local family that lost everything in a house fire this past week off off of Windward Drive (in Tega Cay).  I’ve been in contact w/ the Tri-County Neighbors Helping Neighbors Organization and she gave me some feedback on clothing needs (specific sizes), but at the end of the day, they lost everything.  No clothing, furniture, kitchenware, towels, bedding, you get the point.  I work at the Belk Corporate office and have been able to get them a decent amount so far which I delivered this morning (some clothes, towels, blankets, bedding, kitchen pots/pans, silverware, plates, bowls, etc) but thinking we can come together and make a bigger difference.

The family of 5 includes a 3 year old girl, a 5 year old boy, a 20 year male (college student), a 33 year old female (mother of the two little ones) and the mother of the 20 and 33 year old (she’s retired, on disability and her daughter, son and the grand kids all live with her at the house that burned down).  What I’d ask from you guys to consider doing are as follows:

• #1 need – Monetary donations (probably most important given that they are living in a hotel at the moment but will be set up in a rental soon – at that point in time they will be paying on both a mortgage and the monthly rent for 6 months while their home is re-built w/ insurance proceeds).  Donations can be made at the Yadkin Bank on Gold Hill (an account was set up in the name of the family – family name is Schmehl) or on the Tri-County Neighbors Helping Neighbors (TCNHN) website (pretty archaic, but I promise it’s legit:  http://tcnhn.org/donations-documentation/  there’s a link for donations via paypal, mention the family name in donation – it is tax deductible given their non-profit status).  Diane from TCNHN said they manage all funds for the families to ensure all expenditures are made for items of need.
• Ask your little ones (boy or girl) if they could spare one toy at the house.  Olaf graciously offered to collect at the Joe Davis run tomorrow if you can bring one, otherwise bring to the site Q’s (sorry it’s short notice site Q’s) and I’ll scoop up next week (3 yr old loves Minnie Mouse and is a girly girl; 5 year old loves Ninja Turtles and Pokemon)
• Clothing – Like I said above, I’m pulling this together at Belk and I know there are a few other collections taking place for clothing around the area.  If you do happen to have little girls (size 3-4, shoe size 9.5) or boys (size 6, shoe size 13) clothes, feel free to bring as well.

One other thing – I also offered up some muscle towards the end of the month to help TCNHN move furniture from a donor who is downsizing their home to this family.  She said she’d need a few hands to help so hoping a few of us can volunteer a couple hours on the weekend or after work a couple weeks from now.  More to come there once I get details.

Think that’s it men – tactically, if you feel like giving money, see above.  If your children could spare a toy or two, bring to the run tomorrow (Olaf will grab) or to your workouts next week and lastly if you have any spare clothes, follow the same orders as the toys.  I’ll go around and collect everything and get it TCNHN so that they can get what they can to the family now.   Appreciate you guys.

ChaChing