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Donations Pile Up for Adams Fire VictimsBy Tammy Daniels
iBerkshires Staff
03:53PM / Monday, December 29, 2008
ADAMS, Mass. — After a major fire left at least six families homeless Friday night, local Elks 1335 offered their Center Street lodge as a drop-off point for donations on Saturday.
By Sunday evening, they had been inundated with piles of clothing, blankets, food and housewares — filling up two large rooms on the first floor.
"We've not even been open 12 hours," said Anne Kupiec. "This is phenomenal. This is really thanks to the town of Adams and the people of Adams."
The blaze had destroyed a six-unit apartment building on First Street, a narrow road accessed by steep streets along North Summer. Some 50 firefighters from surrounding towns battled the inferno, preventing it from spreading to other homes, including a 23-unit building only a yard away. The cause was reportedly a lit candle.
The residents lost everything in the fire, which occurred the day after Christmas.
Donations are piled up at the Elks Lodge in Adams |
Melissa Martin, an officer in the lodge, said on Saturday that the lodge decided to do something because people were calling the fire and police departments looking for ways to help. The Red Cross chapter in Pittsfield had found places for many of the building's occupants to stay on Friday night but there was little information on what was needed and by whom.
The donations began pouring in after the Elks' offer was publicized by local media; much of it came in Sunday.
Both used and new winter clothing, toys, microwaves, small televisions, canned goods and bedding filled tables, counters and racks inside the lodge.
A couple of the tenement's residents had come for supplies but there's plenty left. "Some of the victims aren't going over there," said Andy Wrinn, director of disaster services for the Red Cross. "We're hoping that they will."
Wrinn said 15 people, mostly in their 20s and 30s, were living in the First Street building. There was some confusion about children being among the victims because the apartments next door had to be evacuated that night. There are children living in that building but they all should be home by now, he said. There was also confusion about who was in the building because some people had falsely claimed to the Red Cross and Salvation Army that they had been living there.
A few people are staying at Harrinton's; others, like owner Irene Lamarche, are staying with relatives. Wrinn expected their recovery to be ongoing as they sought out places to live. Little was salvaged from the apartment building, which had to be bulldozed for safety reasons.
Elks officers will continue to accept donations this week from 5 to 7 but say they have enough clothing and electronics. Nonperishable food, toiletries and small gift cards to Wal-Mart and supermarkets are preferred. Turn Hall is also planning a benefit in the next week or so.
The apartment building had to be razed for safety reasons. Scorching can be seen on the apartment house only a yard away. |
The lodge will find places to donate the excess items, said Bernard Martin, another officer. "All of it will be put to good use ... It will be distributed to people who need it."
Meanwhile, any of the 15 residents of the destroyed building are welcome to pick up what they need at the Elks from 5 to 7 or by contacting the Martins at 413-743-4164 or the Kupiecs at 413-743-9813.
"This is what the Elks is all about," said Neil Kupiec, also an officer. "Being there for the community." |
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