Jack ‘n Tracie

Hi family and friends,

Most of you who read this site have heard of or met our friends Deanna and Russell. Kevin and their son, Nathan, are best friends. They spend so much time together that Dee and I call each other’s sons our “part time kids”.

Ralph and Russell have been friends for almost 30 years…

Last night Russell and Deanna’s brand new house (it’s their first home, they just bought in November and moved into mid-December) caught on fire just after they left the home. Deanna and Nathan had actually just come here to pick up Kevin to take him and Nathan to the Library for YAAB. (Young Adults Advisory Board). Dee then went grocery shopping while Russ was at Home Depot when they got the word from neighbors that their house was on fire.

Unfortunately, all four of their beloved pets died of smoke inhalation from the fire. As you can imagine, this is most devastating to them. When they got word that their house was on fire, they obviously all rushed home. The animals did not suffer any injuries. They simply succumbed to the smoke.

Kevin is the one who called me from their cell phone. He was quite upset. He spends a lot of time with this family so they are like his family too, including their pets.

The house suffered major damage. Jack and I, along with Ralph and Denise went there last night to help as soon as we got the call. It’s just awful…. basically everything in their living room and dining room was destroyed. There is smoke and soot damage throughout the entire house.

The red cross gave them vouchers for clothing, groceries and a hotel stay. Russ, Dee, and Zach stayed with Dee’s mother last night while Nathan and Karina stayed at our house last night. We let the kids stay home from school to offer companionship to Karina and Nathan. They are holding up incredibly well. At least they were able to say goodbye to their pets.

They aren’t allowed to do anything until their homeowner’s insurance people do their thing. All we could do is board up all the windows and doors the fire department had to break. (We did that last last night.) Today they saw it in daylight with one insurance guy, who claimed it was a “total loss” and above what he could do so now they have to wait until tomorrow for two more insurance people to come do their thing. They aren’t even allowed to sift through their stuff to get what survived.

There was an article in today’s Columbian. It’s also in the local paper.

They are set as far as their immediate needs go. The outpour of support from our network of friends and their family has been overwhelming, so right now all we can do is offer our moral support and keep them in our thoughts. Especially for the children.

Thanks,

~Tracie