tractor
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 15:19:30 GMT -5
Posts: 3,496
|
Post by tractor on Apr 16, 2017 14:34:10 GMT -5
Other than just a great song, it can be a great tragedy, some friends of ours lost everything to a house fire last night. While they made it out alive, their beloved dog did not and they are certainly in shock today trying to understand it all. I want to help, but don't know how. Has anyone here lost everything to a fire? What did you need the most? I'm looking for some advice on how to help, without getting in the way.
The community support has been amazing and I know there are several fundraisers/donations planned (I assume everything was insured) so money shouldn't be there biggest obstacle.
|
|
chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:04:45 GMT -5
Posts: 39,512
|
Post by chiver78 on Apr 16, 2017 14:38:44 GMT -5
oh wow, I'm so sorry. I personally haven't gone through this myself, but have helped friends of friends who have. what we did for these people was just fund gift cards to places like Walmart, BB&B, Target. they were getting so much specific assistance from the community that the gift cards allowed them to fill in the blanks in the furnished rental house that their insurance company was able to secure for them. hugs to you for your support. sorry for the lost pup
|
|
Happy prose
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 12:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 3,230
|
Post by Happy prose on Apr 16, 2017 16:19:14 GMT -5
A co-worker lost her house in a fire. There were a lot of fund raisers going on, but we felt they needed stuff immediately. We brought over some clothes, and gift cards.
|
|
Anne_in_VA
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:09:35 GMT -5
Posts: 5,549
|
Post by Anne_in_VA on Apr 16, 2017 16:54:59 GMT -5
Someone from my church lost everything in a fire and had no insurance. There were a lot of fundraisers, but they needed just about everything. A lot of people donated furniture and bedding and I found out what they needed and bought just about everything they needed for their kitchen.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 15, 2024 1:18:23 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2017 17:06:27 GMT -5
Gift cards are good because insurance and fundraisers take a little time. $50 to buy underwear at Walmart would be a Godsend at time like this.
|
|
Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Apr 16, 2017 17:31:54 GMT -5
I'm thinking gift cards for food and help with redoing all the paperwork that went up in the house - ss cards, drivers license, insurance cards, ccs, library cards, whatever.
|
|
Sharon
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 22:48:11 GMT -5
Posts: 11,288
|
Post by Sharon on Apr 17, 2017 6:36:26 GMT -5
Some friends of one my relatives lost everything in a wildfire that swept through the community. My relative was contacting people to try and get copies of pictures that other people had of them and their kids to try and replace some of the pictures they lost.
|
|
tractor
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 15:19:30 GMT -5
Posts: 3,496
|
Post by tractor on Apr 17, 2017 8:43:26 GMT -5
Thanks for all the ideas so far, they give me something to follow up on. This family has been through a lot over the years, I just hope they had insurance, if not they may never recover. I'm sure we'll hear more from them today.
|
|
Chocolate Lover
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:54:19 GMT -5
Posts: 23,200
|
Post by Chocolate Lover on Apr 17, 2017 14:03:51 GMT -5
Some friends of one my relatives lost everything in a wildfire that swept through the community. My relative was contacting people to try and get copies of pictures that other people had of them and their kids to try and replace some of the pictures they lost. Aside from the need for immediate changes of clothes, this would be my greatest wish if I lost everything in a fire. I can replace stuff, the loss of the pictures would be heartbreaking since not all of them are digital.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 15, 2024 1:18:23 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2017 21:10:23 GMT -5
I haven't lost to a fire, but I've seen several homes in my neighborhood destroyed by fire and each one was certainly full of memories. Yesterday, a house about 90% destroyed by fire last month was demolished. I know the owners have insurance and I am sure they are happy to have escaped with their lives, but it's got to be hard to see the site where your home stood for decades just an empty lot.
I think the idea of photos and memories would be the most meaningful thing you could do at this point. You are right about the insurance situation. I live in an older community with many older residents who don't maintain insurance coverage for financial reasons. It's very sad.
|
|
teen persuasion
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 21:58:49 GMT -5
Posts: 4,165
|
Post by teen persuasion on Apr 19, 2017 22:20:10 GMT -5
My brother lost a house to fire more than a dozen years ago. Luckily no one was home at the time.
Insurance covered expenses, he eventually made out like a bandit with covering living expenses and replacement of personal items on top of the house value. Time was the huge issue - it is a full time job dealing with the insurance company and everything you need to suddenly replace, and things like demolition of whatever's left, trying to sell the lot, other legal madness.
A windstorm dropped a tree on a coworker's house last month. She ultimately decided it was time to retire (she only worked 2 days a week) - she was so busy with the insurance company and the contractors rebuilding of the damaged portion of their house.
|
|