Mayflower fire victims get help

MAYFLOWER — The families who lost all their possessions in an Oct. 14 fire at a Mayflower apartment complex will still have a merry Christmas if Rennie Tarpley of Conway can help it.

Tarpley, who runs His Place His Way outreach in Springhill, said churches and civic organizations are taking care of nine of 13 families affected who are still on-site at the Queens Manor Apartments in Mayflower. He said they relocated from burned units to efficiency apartments.

“We have been working with them every day since the fire,” he said. Tarpley said many groups, including Catholic Charities, have been invaluable.

He said First Baptist Church of Mayflower planned to deliver cooked meals to the apartments, and dressers were taken to several residents.

“They said, ‘These are beautiful,’ he said. Tarpley said there were smiles on their faces and thank-yous for coming “at the right time for Christmas.”

He said presents were going to be delivered this weekend to the families, too.

“Our polar express will be driven by Santa Fred, Fred Simmons of Conway,” Tarpley said. “I’ll be his head elf, and we’ll have Christmas presents and trinkets, and we’ll stop and visit with the families. We’re just trying to bring some cheer.”

Opal Nowlin, 70, was in Building A, which burned. Nowlin said she didn’t lose everything, but the water and smoke damage ruined many of her belongings.

“[Tarpley] asked me if I wanted [a Christmas tree], and I told him, ‘Yes, sir.’ I did. I don’t have anything to go under it, but I enjoy a Christmas tree,” she said.

Tarpley also said His Place His Way, 300 Elliott Drive in Springhill, will provide food and prayer for people during Christmas and New Year’s, when many pantries are closed.

He said it’s important for the families to know they aren’t forgotten, especially at Christmas.

For more information, contact Tarpley at (501) 5141426 Monetary donations or gift cards may be mailed to the Inter-faith and Partners Recovery Alliance, P.O. Box 983, Mayflower, AR 72106.

No one was injured in the fire, which was ruled arson. Queens Manor resident Carlon Ricks was arrested and charged with arson and a probation violation, according to the Faulkner County Sheriff ’s Office. He is in jail in lieu of a $750,000 bond and is scheduled to appear Jan. 4 in Faulkner County Circuit Court.

(501) 3270370 or tkeith@arkansas online.com.