July 8, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
A community effort led by several local churches is underway to help ten families who lost their homes and belongings in the Towne’s Edge Village Apartment Fire Sunday.
Chad Ramsey, Pastor of the Smithville First Baptist Church said an account has been opened at First Bank for anyone who would like to make a cash donation to these families.
“Several of the churches have gotten together and contacted the apartment complex that caught on fire July 4 and we have set up an account at First Bank so if you would like to give to the families go to First Bank and give a donation and it will be split evenly to all the families who were caught up in that horrible fire over the weekend” said Ramsey.
Along with the Smithville FBC, at least four other churches, Outreach Baptist, New Life United Pentecostal, Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian, and the Smithville Church of Christ are pitching in to help.
“These churches are reaching out to the families to make sure they get assistance. If you would like to give to a family individually call any of these churches. Each has a list of which churches are helping out with which families,” Ramsey said.
Although temporary housing has been arranged for most of the fire victims, efforts are underway to find more long term solutions.
“If you know of an available apartment or rental space let these churches know so we can get the word out because finding rental property in Smithville and DeKalb County can be difficult at times,” Ramsey continued.
Donations of furniture are also needed, more so than clothing.
“They (fire victims) have as much clothes as they need thanks to sources like the New Life Center and others but furniture will be needed down the line as they find more permanent places to live. You may go to the HOPE Center on West Broad Street near Walmart to donate furniture and they can hold it until the families get settled,” added Ramsey.
“Its been great to see all the churches come together for this and we look forward to helping these families working together as a community.”