Displaced Capri fire victims get assistance, but more will be needed
By DAVE SCHULTZ
Steve Surbaugh, pastor of the Life Community Church, is not John Mellencamp, but he could sing the same tune as the legendary Indiana rocker does: Living in a small town is “good enough for me,” to use the lyrics from Mellencamp’s song “Small Town.”
Life Church was the shelter for those displaced by Thursday afternoon’s fire at the Capri Meadows II apartment complex. No official number has been released as to the number of households displaced, but several estimates of around 50 have been reported.
Most of those who were affected by the fire found shelter with relatives or friends Thursday night, as 13 people spent the night at the Oak Street church. The number expected to stay there tonight is six.
“We hear all the time about what people say about living in a small town, but when there’s a need, people help,” Surbaugh said Friday afternoon.
The shelter will operate until Tuesday, if needed, and then the Red Cross will no longer have it open. If additional help is needed, the Salvation Army will assist. Neil Ainslie, the Salvation Army’s representative for Wells County, said he has been authorized to assist with housing in local motels if any rooms are available through the Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services program.
There are a number of ways for people to help, but one thing that is not needed — at least, not right now — is bedding. With the shelter being phased out, pillows and blankets aren’t needed.
However, Ainslie said, when the apartments are once again habitable — whenever that happens — the residents of Capri Meadows II will need bedding and household items of all kinds to replace that destroyed or significantly damaged in the fire.
Olivia Lusher, executive director of the American Red Cross for northeast Indiana, has been in the community coordinating shelter efforts. She says the efforts of the non-profits tell a story.
“When non-profits have fundraisers,” she said, “it’s so that we can have stability at these times in the community.”
There are still ways that people can help.
Pamela Beckford of the United Way of Wells County notes that her organization’s Faith Fund would be an investment in assistance.
“While you may not personally know any of the dozens of people impacted by the fire, someone you know may know someone,” she said in an email to supporters. “My ask of you is to share the United Way Facebook post (not just like it) to your Facebook page please.”
“While we have funds in our general account for the Faith Fund, they could be depleted pretty quickly assisting with new rents for people,” she said. “So, to that end, I have sent out a mailing to most of the Bluffton churches asking for a church donation beyond their normal Faith Fund contribution. That letter will be out in tomorrow’s mail and (hopefully) they should have it on Saturday.”
Surbaugh said area churches have responded to the need — not only his congregation but others in the community. With a smile in his voice, he refers to the cooperative churches as “the Church of Wells County” as they have provided food and other necessities of life for those who have lost their homes.
Ainslie is also asking for support for the Yehoshua (“God saves”) program, which is an effort to “fill in the last cracks in the needs of the county.” To contribute, visit the Salvation Army office at 116 S. Johnson St. or call 260-307-2205. Donations may also be taken to the First Bank of Berne; the last four digits of the account are 1260.
Ainslie is also keeping track of those offering to assist at 260-622-8441. When the need is evident and people are ready to return to permanent housing, he said, those willing to donate will be contacted.
daves@news-banner.com
