Dec 23, 2008 6:57 pm US/Central
Outpouring Of Generosity To Fire Victims
BURNSVILLE, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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Red Cross and other volunteers are helping find housing, fill medical needs and provide whatever assistance they can for those who lost so much.
CBS
Losing your home to fire is a terrible thing to have happen at any time, but right before the holidays makes it even more sad.
Those who think they lost pets are the ones who are the most devastated, but even they and others are holding up remarkably well under the circumstances. Much of that has to do with the overwhelming number of people volunteering to help them.
The scene was a shocking sight for many coming home to their apartments on Monday night.
"The first thing I thought was make sure your family's OK, make sure your baby's alright," said fire victim Antonia Holliday.
They were alright, but everything else was gone.
"All I've been thinking about today is the stuff I lost, can't get back," said Holliday.
Others in and around Burnsville feel terrible for the nearly 200 fire victims. So they came out in droves, bringing clothes, food, toiletries, Christmas gifts and toys, like the ones a group of Bloomington boys brought to help out.
"It's a good thing to do for them. It's Christmas and it's a good thing to give to them," said 8th grader Charlie Erickson.
Red Cross and other volunteers are helping find housing, fill medical needs and provide whatever assistance they can for those who lost so much.
"The gifts that we have, we have holiday music playing on in the background. It really is that holiday spirit. People really have come together in this community to support their neighbors in need," said Red Cross spokesperson Carrie Nolan.
Those feeling the outpouring of kindness could not be more appreciative.
"I'm really grateful. Everybody just getting together, helping us out so fast," said Holliday.
"They were just helping us with everything. Something I've never seen anything like it, it's beautiful, it's wonderful," said fire victim Katrina Watson.
And despite all they lost, the victims are more thankful for what they still have.
"My kids were talking about all the things we could not have and I told my children 'Don't worry about what we don't have, just worry about what we can have from God,'" said Watson.
The Humane Society found a few pets which escaped the fire and they're being held at a Burnsville veterinary clinic.
The temporary shelter will be up and running again Tuesday night and the Red Cross will find temporary shelter for all those who have no where else to go for the holiday weekend.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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