Local nonprofits taking donations for fire victims
A Columbia Falls firefighter waits for a hose to charge as they fight an apartment building blaze Sunday afternoon. (Chris Peterson photo)
Local nonprofits are helping the victims of a fire that destroyed a nine-unit apartment building Sunday.
The Red Cross, Columbia Falls Lions Club and the Whitefish Assembly of God Church are all helping.
About 20 people were left homeless after the fire.
“Red Cross volunteer responders are providing families with food and housing assistance, helping them replace medications lost in the fire and connecting them with mental health resources and other tools they will need on their road to recovery,” the Red Cross of Idaho and Montana said in a release.
The Red Cross also provided immediate cash assistance to aid in hotel fees, minimal clothing and food. If interested in ensuring that donations will be allocated to Montanans specifically, send a check to American Red Cross of Montana, 1300 28th Street South, Great Falls MT 59405.
The Columbia Falls Lions Club is working on pooling community resources for those displaced. If interested in giving, email Kelly Hamilton at kmdhamilton@yahoo.com or call (406) 471-9299.
The Whitefish Assembly of God Church is gathering financial and gift-card donations. Contact pastor Shawn Madsen at (406) 862-4039.
No one was injured in the blaze, but the building was a total loss. Not all of the apartments burned, but they all had some degree of smoke and water damage.