OVERWHELMING RESPONSE

Community helps families displaced by apartment complex fire

Chester County’s Department of Community Development officials said that as of Friday, 45 families are still displaced from their homes by the devastating fire at Ashwood Apartments in North Coventry Township.

“The response to requests for donations to help the men, women and children who lived in Ashwood Apartments has been overwhelming, which is what we have truly come to expect and appreciate from our Chester County community” said department Director Pat Bokovitz. “We have filled our need for new and gently used clothing donations, but still welcome support with furniture donations, financial contributions and especially ask landlords to contact us about the families’ housing needs.”

Forty-three apartments were destroyed in the July 30 blaze, displacing more than 100 people. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by county fire officials. The fire required the manpower, equipment and endurance of firefighters from nearly 30 area fire companies.

Monetary donations to support the families are being collected by Pottstown-based community support nonprofit TriCounty Community Network. Donations may be made online at https://tcnetwork.org/support-ashwoodapartment-fire-victims/, or by mailing a check to TCN at 724 N. Adams Street, Pottstown

Integrated Wellness Complex, Suite 203, Pottstown, PA 19464. TCN is in the process of establishing a committee to assist in the oversight and distribution of the donated funds.

Furniture donations should go to the Community Warehouse Project of Chester County. Details of the how to make donations can be found at http://communitywarehouseproject.com/donate/ or by calling 484-473-4360.

Landlords with properties to rent in the Pottstown tri-county area are asked to contact the Housing Authority of Chester County via e-mail at ashwoodapartments@haccnet.org or via phone at 610-235-4484.

Josh Park, pastor of Branch Life Church and NorCo Relief Center Coordinator, said, “The Ashwood families would like to express their deep gratitude to the first responders, the Norco firefighters, the many donation center volunteers and the community for the outpouring of support, prayers and donations. It has been awesome to see our town unite in a spirit of generosity and love. Well done Pottstown.”

Community organizations that have been coordinating assistance for those displaced by the Ashwood Apartments fire include the American Red Cross, Norco Fire Company, Branch Life Church, Open Hearth Inc. and Orion Communities. Agencies that have gotten involved to provide the households with housing case management services include Friends Association, Handicrafters, Home of the Sparrow, the Housing Authority of Chester County, North Star and Salvation Army of Pottstown.

Additionally, Shelly Buffington set up a GoFundMe page titled “Ashwood apt fire” (https://www.gofundme.com/f/ashwood-apt-fire?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cf+shareflow-1) to collect donations as well.

The Ashwood Fire Relief Center, currently located in Norco Fire Hall, will be moving locations on Saturday to Liberty Ministries Thrift’s Sanatoga location at 2200 E. High St. Liberty Ministries is providing space in their community room for the Ashwood families to access all the donations that they need on a daily basis.

A group of volunteers, led by Josh Park (Branch Life Church) will load Liberty’s trucks with supplies and donations and move them to the Community Room on Saturday.

Additionally, Liberty Ministries will partner with Branch Life Church to provide spiritual support to those affected by the fire. Liberty Ministries will continue to partner to see if they can assist in any other way.

The donation of goods has been so generous that the relief center cannot accept or hold any more physical donations of any kind. If anyone wishes to contribute, please visit the “Support for Ashwood Apartments” Facebook page for more details on how to donate monetarily as well as view updates.

Liberty Ministries Thrift’s Community Room is located at the back of the store directly across the main entrance. Hours of operation will be posted on the “Support for Ashwood Apartments” Facebook page.

To learn more about Liberty Ministries Thrift, visit www.libertythriftstores.com.

EVAN BRANDT — MEDIANEWS GROUP The front entrance of the Ashwood Apartment building was a burnt-out shell the day after the massive July 30 fire.

EVAN BRANDT — MEDIANEWS GROUP Red Cross worker Janice Thomas speaks with Jim Uphold, who lived in the Ashwood Apartments for 10 years.