Little did they know, that cheer was on its way.Â
On Thursday, volunteers with the Innovia Foundation packed up dozens of gifts for people impacted by the fires. Box after box, wrapped up, and brought out to a trailer for the hour trip to Malden.
On Friday, families who lost everything got just a little bit back.
Total strangers stepped up and adopted families who need help this Christmas.
Families not only received presents, they received donations for Christmas meals as well.Â
Organizer, Shelly O Quinn, says 80% of the town lost their homes and everything they own. We have gifts from sleds, to teddy bears, and books, and clothes, and boots- just things that the families need having lost everything- just a really great way to give back, O Quinn said.Â
SPR s Doug Nadvornick reports.
The work of rebuilding the burned eastern Washington towns of Malden and Pine City may soon begin.
The Innovia Foundation has begun a campaign to raise money to build four new houses for residents.
People in the two Whitman County towns have been waiting nearly three months for the federal government to respond to their application for disaster aid. That would provide them with grants and loans that allow them to rebuild.
In the meantime, the Innovia Foundation and its executive director, Shelly O’Quinn, have adopted them for the Christmas season.
“We were able to provide meals for each of the families. Over and over again we heard the community, let us know what more we can do, she said.