Community shows up in big way to help those affected by blaze
By Valorie Brecht As destructive as the fire was that tore through Loyal’s downtown last week, it could not dampen the spirit of friends and neighbors from near and far who stepped up to help in whatever way they could.
“They back everybody here. We’re all victims; the town got hurt too, not just us. The town itself took a hit but they came right back at it,” said Dennis Augustine Sr., one of the displaced residents.
From the beginning, the battle against the blaze was a team effort. Personnel from seven surrounding fire departments were on scene, as well as EMTs from Greenwood, in addition to the Loyal workers.
“Everyone pitched in, whether it was fire, EMS, patrol or city workers. It was huge,” said Loyal Ambulance Chief Dave Esselman.
“It’s amazing how the community worked together. Everyone had their job to do and did it. There was no chaos,” said Jennifer Bender, owner of the former Chasteen-Hoesley Insurance building that was evacuated but ultimately spared from any extensive damage.
As firefighters were fighting back the flames last Thursday night into Friday morning, businesses provided food to keep them going, including Kwik Trip and Sweet Retreat Cake Boutique. The Loyal United Methodist Church also supplied baked goods from their church bake sale. Greg and Jenni Brock keptThe RootBeer Stand open late, cooking burgers and fries for the firefighters and EMTs and refusing to accept payment.
Overall, the community felt grateful for the first responders’ hard work and wanted to make sure they had everything they needed.
“I’ve received lots of messages on Facebook, texts, lots of donations of food and water. Everyone is asking, ‘Can we help?’” said Loyal Fire Chief Scott Radue Friday afternoon.
The community was also ready and willing to assist the victims. Individuals losing their apartments were Michael Conard, who was behind the laundromat; Donna and Storm Gilge, who were above the laundromat in the front; Teresa Hall and Larry Eggman, who were above The Fitness Room; and Dennis Augustine Sr.., Marci Augustine and Dennis Augustine Jr., who were above the food pantry.
Within hours of the news of the fire getting out, in the comments section on a “Community of Loyal” Facebook post, people were offering the victims housing, including in Greenwood and Spencer. People were also eagerly asking where they could drop off donations. Others offered their washer and dryer if folks needed a place to do laundry.
The gestures of goodwill continued into the next day and the days following. On Friday morning, Loyal business owner Justin Clements of Clemy Exteriors donated his time and equipment to clean off the sidewalks, which were covered in soot. He also cleaned the windows of Hair We Are and Sweet Retreat Bakery. Also that morning, the families met with city officials and the Red Cross. A list was put together of all the clothing items, toiletries and medications each person was looking for, with donations being collected at the Loyal American Legion. By Saturday afternoon, all of the displaced families had toiletries and clothing. Loyal residents Cody Olson and Tjaden Brostowitz jointly donated the use of a refrigerated trailer for perishable food donations.
As community members were trying to get things sorted out Friday morning, it became clear that there needed to be a point person coordinating the donation collection effort. Amanda Stephens of Hair We Are was glad to take on that role.
“I can kind of relate. I had a house fire 12 or 15 years ago. It was not this tragic, but I know what they’re going through. My heart goes out to them. It’s also just across the street from us… They’re my neighbors. I see that side of the street every day and now I won’t see people coming and going from those businesses each and every day. I just wanted to help. I had tons of people asking, ‘How can I help?’” she said.
“The community has been phenomenal; people have been great,” she added.
She and other volunteers used a phased approach of first collecting clothing and toiletry donations, and then collecting home furnishings and items people may need once the victims had secured housing. As of Tuesday morning, one family had already acquired housing and had their list of furniture and kitchen items fulfilled. The other families were working on securing housing and/or a list of requested items.
The kind gestures appeared in various other ways. At the Loyal-Greenwood versus Colby game last Friday night, members of the Colby High School student council went through the crowd collecting monetary donations for the Loyal Food Pantry and the families affected by the fire, with $4,484 raised.
A community member started an online #LoyalStrong t-shirt and sweatshirt sale, with proceeds going to support the families and the food pantry. The shirts can be found by visiting etsy.com and searching “Loyal WI Fire Fundraiser.” The seller is DanaDeerDesignCo.As of Tuesday, the shirt was listed as a “bestseller” item, with 22 people purchasing the shirt in the last 24 hours.
The victims were appreciative of everyone’s efforts to support them.
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“People have been very generous. The community has been very outgoing. And it’s not just Loyal. I was in Marshfield this morning and the people there were very generous too,” said Eggman.
Dennis Augustine Jr. agreed. He noted he had received a meal voucher from Raven’s Nest bar and grill in Loyal, and was also been offered free meals from The RootBeer Stand, just a few of the actions people have taken to help.
“The businesses have really been stepping up… In my opinion, the community support has been instrumental in getting the resources we need, from the firefighters and first responders to the citizens and businesses. Now, we are stocked up for food.Amanda (Stephens) has great leadership to her,” he said.
He noted that the Red Cross provided care packages to each of the victims, which included some basic necessities. They also provided mental health check-ins and a hotline number for trauma counseling. Each of the families also received a pre-paid debit card to use for purchasing essential items. He also said his employer, Northside Elevator, agreed to provide paid time off for the time he needed to take off while dealing with this situation.
He said all of those actions were helping him in the process of getting through this tragedy.
“We’re moving forward. We’re preserving the past and looking to what’s ahead,” he said.
Food pantry Besides the displaced families, the Loyal Food Pantry also took a major hit, with the loss of at least $70,000 worth of equipment, between fridges, freezers, computers and other equipment. Over the last four years, they had gradually upgraded to industrial grade equipment, with the last pieces purchased in the last year.
“It is devastating, because we had just gotten three, three-door freezers. We had finally gotten set. We worked so hard to get all this, and now it’s all gone,” said Cherilyn Hare, food pantry board member. “But, the fire department did a great job. None of us were hurt; that’s the biggest thing.”
The food pantry serves about 200 households every month, not just from Loyal but also the surrounding area.
The pantry has been relocated to 132 N. Main St. (across from C & J Auto). It will reopen Sept. 24 with hours of Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays from 2:30-5 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The pantry will gladly accept food donations. Contact 715-503-1071 for details. However, they are most in need of monetary donations to replace the lost equipment.
“Our food we pretty much get from a federal program. We get regular truckloads of at least 30,000 pounds. We will take food donations, but we need money for commercial-grade freezers… We’re a non-profit, so we survive on donations,” said Hare.
The food pantry has received several generous donations already and is working to acquire the equipment that was lost. An anonymous donor offered to donate a 16 cubic foot freezer or a refrigerator, whichever is needed more, from
158110
Wolf’s True Value and Parts City Auto Parts in Greenwood. Community support will enable the pantry to recover.
How you can help People who wish to donate monetarily can either stop by or mail a check to Citizens State Bank of Loyal, and designate their donation to either the Loyal Fire Fund or the Loyal Food Pantry. There is also a GoFundMe account set up online entitled “Help Our Community Rise From the Ashes” and organized by Amanda Stephens that people can donate to.
People should check the “City of Loyal” Facebook page for the latest updates as to what items are needed for the fire victims and donation drop-off hours. No more clothing donations are needed.
For any questions, contact Stephens at 715-503-1094. The Loyal School District is also hosting a food drive of non-perishable food items. Items can be dropped off in the elementary or middle/high school entrances through this Friday, Sept. 20. Most needed items include tuna or other canned meat, peanut butter, beans, soups or stews, boxed meals, rice and pasta, canned fruit and vegetables, and cereal.
VALORIE BRECHT/STAFF PHOTOS
