Hayden Fire prompts a flood of donations to evacuees

Some Hayden Pass fire evacuees have been away from their homes for almost a week now, but they are getting plenty of support and kindness from the surrounding community.

After the initial rush to gather items such as important papers, photographs, and clothes, it can be the little items that are missed most after a quick evacuation.

Now, through community support, evacuees are getting back some of the creature comforts one can sometimes take for granted.

One section of the Howard Fire Department has become a makeshift department store of sorts, with tables full of shampoos, clothing, and most importantly, food.

Volunteer organizer Carla Gillespie says she’s been delighted by all the donations pouring in,

“It was just overwhelming,” says Gillespie, “…how wonderful everybody has been together”

Rosalie Kester is just one of the evacuees who has taken advantage of the generosity on display.

“We’ve got a lot of things to take care of when we get back,” says Kester, “We kind of have to start all over”

Thankfully, there should be no shortage of goods on hand. The Howard Fire Department is telling evacuees to come as often as they need to, knowing that evacuees already have enough to deal with.

“Don’t go buy anything,” says Carla Gillespie, putting out one final message to evacuees, “Come here and see what we’ve got, and let us help you”