WILMINGTON —A recent fire decimated a home and left a family of eight with no home and few possessions.
The Wilmington Fire Department was called to a fire late Tuesday morning on SR 350 West that Lt. Brant Schmitt said may have started in the kitchen. With assistance from the Clarksville Fire Department, they extinguished the fire, but the house was decimated.
While no one was home, and the family dog was rescued, the family of eight that rented the property lost most of their belongings.
When word reached Wilmington Cooperative Preschool teacher Cindy Sutton that the home of one of her students, Brooklyn, was gone, it shocked her.
“I first heard about it that day when her mother (Jennifer) called me saying someone else would be picking Brooklyn up from school because they had a house fire,” said Sutton. “I was super sad because she is just the sweetest girl.”
Sutton composed a letter to give to the parents of her students asking for donations for the family. She then decided to go further and post it on the school’s Facebook page.
The post lists what clothing items they’re gathering for each of the eight family members. According to Sutton, they’ve already received many donations for the children, but are in need of donations for the parents who lost everything.
“Jennifer and Jason (the parents) still need clothing. They also need kitchen appliances, they lost just about everything. They need bathroom items, bedding, and clothes for the kids are still appreciated — as are monetary donations,” said Sutton.
They’re also looking for shoes for the family. For the kids, men’s sizes 9 and 12, boys size 3, girls size 6, youth size 9, and size 9.5 for the father and 7 for the mother.
Sutton said the family is currently living at the paternal grandmother’s residence while they look for a new place to rent since it remains uncertain whether or not the house can be repaired.
“Honestly, it makes me very happy to see this,” said Sutton, “this is the community I know and the preschool that I teach at. It’s full of people who are so willing to help.”
If you wish to make a donation or want to help, contact Cindy Sutton at 937-725-7869 or call the Wilmington Cooperative Preschool President Jessica Zimmerman at 513-646-4814.
