Melissa Blosser, Assistant Editor
This Christmas many of us will open a variety of gifts while sitting by a warm fire after indulging in a lavish holiday meal. But for some the holiday is just another day to feel the frustration of struggling to buy a carton of milk or a pair of shoes.
For a family of four, including to young boys, and two other individuals who lost their homes in the Pioneer Fire Tuesday evening this Christmas could be devastating.
These people need your help.
As one of our favorite hometown hangouts was shrouded in smoke and surrounded by a sea of fire trucks and firefighters trying to stem the blaze, the apartments upstairs from Lassen Ale Works, occupied by two single adults and a family of four, were damaged and the people living there forced out into the street.
With little or no warning the individuals who lived there found themselves outside in the cold, watching helplessly as firefighters did their best to dampen the flames.
“They won’t be able to go home for some time until the repairs are made,” said Fire Battalion Chief James Moore.
Kim Neill, Loan Manager at Highland Park Home Loan, was one of the patrons evacuated while eating dinner at the Ale Works and as she walked to her car she came across the family of four sitting all alone in the cold.
“I asked the family if they had anywhere to go,” said Neil. “They replied no, they had no family, and no friends, and they were only carrying a small bundle of clothes.”
Knowing she had to do something Neill walked over to Johnson’s Shoes and asked owner Scott Johnson if the family could wait in his store to stay warm while they waited for help. Johnson hurried the family in out of the cold.
“As they sat in my store, I noticed none of them had any shoes on,” said Johnson. “So I gave them all something warm to put on their feet.”
As the family sat in Johnson’s shoes, Johnson again asked if they had anywhere to go with two small children. According to Johnson the family did not, and at that point he knew he had to stick with the family to make sure they had a place to stay that night.
“I couldn’t allow myself not to do anything,” said Johnson.
The family was taken to a hotel Tuesday night and provided with help from our local Red Cross, but that assistance is very short-term and the family will continue to need help desperately.
Alec and Raven Gretchen have two boys, ages 3 and 4, and everything they owned was destroyed by fire, smoke and water damage. The two boys wear size 6 shirts and size 4-5 pants.
An account is set up for the family at U.S. Bank in Susanville and cash donations can be made there in the name of the Gretchen family.
There are several locations where you can drop off donations for the family:
Between the hours of 8:00a.m. and 2:00p.m. you can drop off clothing, toys or any other household items at Primo Deli, 614 Main Street.
You can also drop off donations at the Susanville City Fire Hall at 1505 Main Street. All items will be collected and distributed to the Gretchen family.
Cash or check donations can be left with Carol Curry, CPA, 30 S. Roop Street. Call 257-2101 for information.
Donations of clothing, personal and household items to Elise’s Barbershop in the Pioneer Saloon, 724 Main St, Susanville, 310-2342 during regular business hours.
Tom, one of the single adults displaced from another upstairs apartment, told SusanvilleStuff he is in need of a rental and a job. He can be reached at 310-4549.
The other resident affected by the fire was unavailable when we tried to contact her this morning, but as soon as we have information we will update our story.
The Pioneer fire will have left its mark on Susanville this holiday. 35 Lassen Ale Works’ employees are without incomes right before Christmas, and we have neighbors in this community who have had their lives turned upside down and need our assistance.
That is the great thing about Susanville, not only will a local businessman like Scott Johnson take in a family needing shelter and give them shoes, but as a community we are already coming together with plans underway to help Lassen Ale Works’ employees with a fundraising barbecue Saturday, December 15th from 6:00 to 9:00p.m. at the Elks Club.
The holidays are quickly approaching and as we all scurry to check off the last thing on our lists, maybe we can all make a note to help those who lost what they had in a fire, help our local employees who are without incomes or just help a family who might have a little less than you do this Christmas.
“Open your eyes and there are people in need all around us,” said Johnson. “You just have to choose to be aware.”
