After A Devastating Fire, Arvada Neighbors Help Family Start Over

ARAVADA, CO -- Neighbors stepped up to make the holidays a little less miserable for an extended family that lost everything in a townhouse fire Nov. 27. Employees at the soon-to-be-opening 24-Hour Fitness club at the strip mall across the street watched the mid-day blaze last week and hoped they could do something to help, said Lisa Kempton.

When she saw that family friends were asking for help for the two adults and five children who lived in the destroyed unit, Kempton said she and her colleagues decided to try to help. They quickly put notices on Facebook listing clothing sizes, and needs such as pajamas, socks and underwear, winter-wear and even a request for books: Toddler books for the 3-year-old girl, books about science, animals and dinosaurs for the little boys, ages 4,7 and 9 and and teen books such as Twilight for the girl, age 12.

"We're out in the parking lot in front anyway all day answering questions [about the new business] so I thought we could make this a drop off for the families," Kempton said. "These are families in need that lost everything at Christmas."

The donations began to pour in this week. "A woman just dropped off a trunk full of new toys from Target," she said. One person dropped off several boxes of shampoo and toiletries. "People have been so generous it was a beautiful sight to behold. The families are overwhelmed with the kindness they've been shown." The two families are staying in hotel lodging temporarily, Kempton said.

Friday will be the last day donations will be taken for the two families, Kempton said.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and is still under investigation, said Arvada Fire Public Information Officer Amber Jones.

If you are interested in helping the families, the list below was provided by Kempton:

• Winter clothes (coats, hats, gloves, etc.), underwear, socks, jeans, shirts, sweatshirts,
• Womens size 8.5-9, 7.5-8, 6
• Mens size 9
• Boys size 12.5 and 11
• Toys Girls: 3 and 12 Boys: 4, 7 and 9
• Books Little girl and boy books Avenger books (4 year old) Science, animal and dinosaur books (7 and 9 yr olds) Teen books like Twilight Coloring books and crayons
• Toiletries Makeup Brushes Hair straighteners (2) Shampoo/Conditioner Deodorant
• Blankets pink, purple, blue, red One little boy lost his lovie which is a hooded ninja turtle towel
• Backpacks, duffle bags or suitcases
• Easy to prepare food since they are in hotels. No food allergies.
• Each family would love a small, decorated Christmas Tree to help their kids feel a little joy.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Read more on Patch.com

Arvada Mid-Day Blaze: Multiple Units Involved Says Fire Dept.

Image via Arvada Fire Dept. Twitter