Agencies seek help for fire victims

Van Wert independent

The local American Red Cross chapter and several other agencies are responding to the needs of 12 families that lost their residences when a fire damaged Westside Apartments, 1133 W. Main St., this past Friday.

The Red Cross Disaster Services Workforce provided food, clothing and emergency shelter to 18 adults and four children who had resided at the apartment complex prior to the fire.

The Red Cross is also collaborating with area agencies, including the Department of Job and Family Services, Salvation Army, United Way and Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to provide long-term needs to the families made homeless by the fire.

“We are thankful for our great network of community partners,” said Red Cross Chapter CEO Dave Collins. “Together we are able to support these families and connect them with the services, information and resources they need for long-term recovery.”

The Salvation Army will be providing further assistance with food, clothing and other needs, while the United Way is also involved in making sure the victims have what they need after losing nearly everything in the fire.

The Salvation Army is allowing victims to access its Thrift Shop on South Washington Street to obtain available items that meet their needs, but some needs may go unmet if the Thrift Shop doesn’t have the proper clothing sizes or other specific items. A request may be made later if additional clothing or items are still needed.

“Our goal is to make sure that the needs of the displaced community members are met,” said United Way Executive Director Deb Russell. “We intent to work with all agencies, access what agency can provide services, and help fill any unmet needs.”

The local EMA office has helped coordinate relief efforts for the fire victims, which Red Cross Disaster Services Chairman Mark Klausing said has severely strained his agency’s disaster budget. Klausing said the local Red Cross typically is able to provide assistance each year for 12-15 families whose residences are damaged by fire. Since the West Main Street fire essentially affected 12 families, the Red Cross is limited to helping only three additional families for the remainder of 2013 unless donations are received to rebuild the disaster fund.

The Red Cross notes that all of the disaster relief it provides is free of charge and is made possible by the support of the community. Contributions to help rebuild the local disaster fund can be made online at www.redcross.org, by mail to 211 E. Main St., Van Wert, OH 45891, or by calling 419.238.9977.