Here is the latest update on the Kelly and Amrine families and their search for normalcy.

The Kelly family has found a home, and is currently attempting to fix some of the issues to make it livable. They have gotten some bed frames, and a couch, but not much else in the realm of furnishings.

The Amrine family has also found a home but it will take some time for the current occupants to vacate the premises for them to get into the home. To my knowledge they have no furnishings at this time.

I spoke with the help at the Days Inn and wanted them to assure the families that they will have a place to stay until their homes are ready for them. We will need donations in order to help pay for their stay in the hotel. Days Inn has given us a lower rate for them at $29 per night. Not sure how much longer the Kelly family will need to be there, but the Amrine family may need to be there longer due to issues with their soon to be housing.

We know that one thing that has been difficult to find are mattresses. They have been able to come across some bed frames, but there are not many mattresses to be found. I have at least two, possibly three more couches that are lined up. I also have two dining room tables that we are able to donate as well.

They are going to need furnishings as much as they are clothing at this point. I know that David Deam has located one of those couches as well as a microwave, and we are awaiting delivery times and direction. If you have anything that your are not using, or if you get something new for Christmas and don't know what to do with the old, please get in touch with us. I will be in touch with the family over the next few days to determine true needs and find out what they have been able to gather.

Contact:

Michael Mitchell
mmitchell@bigfourfoundation.org

With the help from some great people at Shoe Sensation we were able to go shopping and get all of the members of the families new shoes to wear this evening. Couldn't have done it without the help of Megan and the staff at Shoe Sensation, and their #giveback attitude!

I now have sizes for everyone that was involved in the fire. The Charity League has stepped up thanks to the hard work of Susan Shaffer and we will be delivering clothing and necessities for all the kids involved tomorrow, but the kids will also need book bags and school supplies as well. The adults are still in need of many normal things that you and I take for granted. We will be doing a little shopping tomorrow for them to get them some undergarments, which are a big need. I have some of my own men's clothes that I am taking over to them tomorrow as well. I have some special surprises for Michael in my stash!

Here are the sizes for all the adults and I am still including the kids. 

Amrine Family:
Sharon - 5 X pants and shirts
Travis – Large Shirt, 34x34 pants, 11-1/2 Shoe
Michelle – 3 pants, Small shirts, size 7 shoes
Michael – Large Shirt, 32x34 pants, 10 – 11 Shoes
Nick – 2 XL Shirts, 34x34, 11-1/2
Homer – 36x30 pants, XL Shirts, 9 shoe

Kelly Family:
Kerrigan age 12 - size 16 youth or 1 woman's jeans,medium shirts,and 7 shoe. 
Brendan age 10 -  size 10 pants,large shirts,and 6 shoe. 
Landan age 8 - size 8 pants,medium shirts,and 2 shoe. 
Aidan age 7 - size 8 pants,large shirts,and 2 shoe. 
Noah age 7 - size 7 pants,medium shirts and 13 shoe.
Kids need backpacks and supplies for school as well.
Savanah – 13 pants – med to large shirts – large coat
Kim – 13 pants – med to large shirts – large coat
Dustin – 38 to 40 pants with 32 to 34 lengths – 3X or 4X shirts – 3X Coat

The Kelly family has found a home. It is in need of some repairs, but those can be met and are being taken care of. The Amrine family believe that they have found a home, but it may take 10-20 days before it is available to them. 

With being in a home we now get into a whole new world of needs. No one has a bed, a couch, a chair, etc. Not sure if the new homes will even have appliances or not at this point either. I will be attempting to work with the United Way who has some connections with Goodwill and Easter Seals to possibly help with furnishings. I have two kitchen tables that I will be giving them, but only one table has chairs with it. I believe that I can also find a couple of Christmas trees for them to have so that they can get back into the spirit of the season. 

These two families have been through more in this week than we can truly imagine. Seeing them and helping them to stay positive and let them know that someone does care for them is something special. I hope that they know that we will be here for them as long as they need us, and as long as we can keep helping them. 

Please share this information with everyone you know, and please step outside your comfort zone, donate some things that you may no longer need, so that these families can begin to put the pieces of their life back together. Let's come together as a community and show them what our #giveback is all about!

You can still drop off items to the Salvation Army, but make sure you tell them that it is for the fire families. You can also drop off items to Dave Deam at the Parker Store in the Plaza on Michigan Ave. You can also contact Michael Mitchell at mmitchell@bigfourfoundation.org and I can make arrangements to get items from you.

Please share and please help!

The Christmas season is upon us. It is that time of year when we begin to reflect on the year past, and what we are thankful for. It is truly the season of giving, as giving is better than receiving. 
This year has been full of wonderful things for the Big Four Foundation, as we continue to help people in our community, our season of giving never ends. 
Many of you know of the fire that took place here in Sidney, on the corner of Walnut and Michigan streets. The stories of children being dropped from the burning home second story windows and the loss of a life, as well as a few four legged family members are heart wrenching. A family has been left with nothing during what should be a happy giving season. The Big Four Foundation went into action and immediately began trying to find contacts and people that could lead us in the right direction. With the help of Chris North, and his connection to a generous amazing person, Amy O'Leary Sprague, we have bought more time in the hotel for this family to continue to put the pieces back together. This family needs our help in ways that I cannot count, or even imagine. They abandoned their burning home with nothing, and are now tasked with putting it all back together again. 
This is where we come in. As a community, as a group of thoughtful, helpful citizens, we can give this family a piece of hope. We can't make things the way that they were, but we can try to help ease the burden a little, and let them take a breath.
There are five children involved. Kerrigan is 12 and wears size 16 youth or 1 woman's pants, medium shirts, and size 7 shoe. Brendan is 10 and wears a size 10 pants, large shirts, and size 6 shoe. Landan is 8 and wears size 8 pants, large shirts, and size 2 shoe. Aidan is 7 and wears size 8 pants, large shirts, and 2 shoe. Noah is 7 and wears size 7 pants, medium shirts, and 13 shoe. I cannot find the information right now about the adult sizes, I know XXL for shirts and L shirts would help. Brenda Rowe has a donation account setup at US Bank in her name to donate funds for the family. You can also donate funds directly to the Big Four Foundation and we will get those funds to them as well. Any help is welcome. Dishes, furniture, hygiene items, anything that you can think of that is needed on a daily basis, they don't have it. There is a drop off for clothing at the Salvation Army in Sidney on Buckeye. Dave Deam graciously offered up the Parker Store on Michigan Ave. in the plaza as a drop off point for items as well. 
The family should hopefully have a place to live soon, and will begin to put their life back together. May we all find it in our hearts to let them know that they are not alone. Giving is truly better than receiving during this time of year, and our community is big enough and strong enough to help anyone overcome!
Monetary donations to the Big Four Foundation are always welcome as we still have funds to give to the Owens family in their support of Austin. Feel free to contact me at mmitchell@bigfourfoundation.org, or 937-726-8524.