Fire Fighter Union Gives Christmas Gift To Family In Need

Next week, Falls Fire Fighter Union #494 will give a special holiday surprise to the Wilkins family of Cuyahoga Falls.

David Witner, union president, and union members bought gift cards from Kohl’s, Walmart and grocery stores.

“We’ve already had a really nice response,” he said.

The Wilkins' home was destroyed in a fire Oct. 29 and are still recovering from the loss. The union’s gift will help them get back on their feet.

“It’s crazy,” said 14-year-old Ashley-Marie Wilkins when told of the gift they'll receive. “I didn’t think that so many people would be nice enough to help.”

Basic needs are now luxuries

They lost nearly everything. So basic needs including clothing, school supplies and home goods seem like luxuries. Deb takes care of four dogs and three children: Ashley, 12-year-old Holly and 11-year-old Dana.

“They came into our lives, so we came into theirs,” Witner said.

The had put out the blaze in 40 minutes, Deb Wilkins recalls. Her top floor bedroom caught fire first from faulty knob and tube wiring – typical in old colonials in the area.

That night she had run downstairs with the intention of grabbing a fire extinguisher, but ended up outside with her three girls watching the house burn.

Quickly, her friend Penny Haser and firemen arrived.

Watching her house burn

“You can’t think clearly as it is and all the sudden all these people are swooping down on you,” Deb said. “And you’re just standing there watching your house burn down.”

Her philosophy in life is to pay it forward. She tells her girls all the time, but never believed it they would be the recipients of such kindness, she said.

To pay it forward, Deb has two big pieces of advice for people:

Take pictures of everything. A house inventory is faster when you aren’t working off memory. Write down serial numbers, too.

Also, get an electrician to inspect your house. Your electrical box might seem up-to-date, but the walls could hide a different story.

As for the almost $100,000 fire damage, she said, “It’s a big inconvenience, but you can replace anything lost materialistically.”

Deb is just grateful to have what matters – her girls.

“It hurts,” she said. “I’d still rather hug them than a picture.”