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  1. #1

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    question for those of you that have had a house fire...

    A local family just had a house fire in which they have lost everything. I want to do something to help, but the school has sent home notices requesting help. I don't want them to get overloaded with a bunch of stuff they don't need. Or have them getting a ton of clothes but nothing of other stuff. I don't personally know these people. I am thinking about putting together a box of cleaning stuff and soaps, body washes, shampoos, toothbrushes and other items. Does this seem acceptable? Are there other things that would be good to give? TIA

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    Circuit advertisement question for those of you that have had a house fire...
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  4. #2
    3lilpigs's Avatar
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    That sounds like a good idea. Gift cards would work well too, I would think.

    Nice of you to help. I've been through a house fire a long time ago, and my best friend has also been through one. Any help is always appreciated.

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    Urban Cowgirl (11-25-2009)

  6. #3
    MizzouLady's Avatar
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    Before I had a fire in my home, I didn't realize how much we take all the little things for granted. The cleaning supplies and personal products would be great. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair brushes and/or combs, shampoo, conditioner, soap and/or body wash, and deoderant would all be helpful, as well as a gift card to get some supplies, like undergarments, socks, etc.

    God bless you for wanting to help this family in need.

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    BeanieLuvR (11-30-2009), Urban Cowgirl (11-25-2009)

  8. #4

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    we had a house fire, twice. Those things the above posters said were great! and gift cards are always appreciated - for food or for Target or Walmart so they can pick up items as they need.

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    Urban Cowgirl (11-25-2009)

  10. #5
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    We had a housefire when I was a freshman in high school. I was so embarrassed when our school principal went over the intercom and made the announcement about our house fire and donations were being accepted. Our house burnt from floor to ceiling, nothing was salvageable besides the clothes on our backs (which I have to this day, 15 years later). We could not have too much of the basics like food, socks, toiletries, kitchen gadgets, etc.






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    We had two fires in our house when I was growing up and I think it's an awesome idea!
    They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. Distance and time may separate us but friendship and memories won't.
    ~When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure~
    =^..^=

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    lisarae's Avatar
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    My grandparents house burned about 2 years ago, and they lost alot of stuff. That stuff was great! Someone brought laundry basket with hangers, detergent, shout and things like that. Some other ideas that others dont think of is washcloths, towels, plastic shower curtain, hair brushes, sheets, bedding. But what you mentioned, you cant get enough of either!
    PROUD mom of Bradyn Marshall 02-15-00 and Haley Ryann 12-3-03

    Lord, Help me remember that being a Mommy is the most important thing I will do today.

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    I have never been in a house fire. However, growing up our next door neighbors hours burned to the ground on Christmas morning when I was 12. The neighborhood got together and paid for a couple of weeks for a hotel stay, cooked meals and invited the family to have meals with them. Also we donated clothes that were going to be donated anyway or items that were going to be taken back for one reason or another. A lot of the children on that Christmas (including me) gave the children one of the gifts (toys mostly) they'd received that morning.

    It's a great thing you're doing. Wish more would do it when others are in need like that. The fire that I witnessed was devastating. They rebuilt from the ground up but lost everything. They were coming home from their relatives when the fire happened. As they were turning on to our street the fire trucks were right in front of them.

    For the exception of the fire it turned out to be a really great Christmas that year for everyone and the entire family stayed in contact for years afterwards. They've since moved away....the "new house" is still standing and looks exactly as it did before the fire happened. That's been almost 35 years ago.....this upcoming Christmas.
    Name for a new country song: If I'd Shot You Sooner, I'd Be Out of Jail by Now.

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  18. #9
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    well as everyone here knows, my house burned in 2005...everything you're doing is great...like someone said before... you can't think of everything...and to this day i'll think "I HAVE THAT...OH WAIT..NO I DON'T, lol

    offer to do their laundry for a couple weeks... that way they can spend the money thats given to them on other things. it takes forever to recover from a house fire. lil man still has nightmares sometimes. Bless you for trying to do your part.

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  20. #10
    tsquared's Avatar
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    Your idea is a good one and would be well appreciated. Other things that would be nice are small appliances like toaster oven, coffee pot, crock pot etc so that they might continue to cook as they look for another place to stay or if they are in a hotel for a while.
    http://edit.81x.com/Authors/tsquared/!cid_7567ABE1147B4C3481D9869F96F0D442@PREFERRED7EF  93.gif

  21. #11
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    Last year, around this time, a local family had a house fire and lost everything. I asked for blankets, sheets and shampoo and soap, things like you did, on the local FreeCycle group. I did know the lady, and she said they got over loaded with clothes, so the things I was able to help them with that weren't clothes were a big blessing to them. I think your idea is great, and I can bet they could really use things like that.

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