WESTFIELD-By Monday afternoon there were bags of clothes, food, water and toiletries donated by area residents to assist 21 families and more than 40 people who were displaced during Sunday’s fire at Powdermill Village Apartments on Union Street.
Phyllis Ortona, vice president, and Lynn Bennett, president, both of the Powdermill Village tenant board, sort through donations received Monday in the community center to assist those who were displaced from a fire on Sunday.
Powdermill Village tenant board members Phyllis Ortona, vice president, and Lynn Bennett, president, were an intregal part of the team effort that helped organize the donations that were flowing in throughout the day.
“We have created a specific list for clothes for children, preschool to high school age, for those in building five who are in need due to the fire,” said Ortona.
Ortona added that backpacks and school supplies are especially needed at this time.
As both women – along with several volunteers – continued to greet donors with arms full of toys, books, water and toiletries, the larger job at hand was quickly sorting through all of the donations so that items could get to the families as soon as possible.
“We are currently putting together bags for four families who lost everything,” said Ortona.
Laurie Matthews, volunteer service unit coordinator for the Westfield Salvation Army office, was also assisting the women throughout the day – sifting through bags of donations in search of clothes for children.
Laurie Matthews, volunteer service unit coordinator for the Westfield Salvation Army office, sorts through clothes for children on Monday afternoon at the Powdermill Village community center.
“After the fire started my phone starting ringing and I immediately came to Powdermill Village Apartments to see where the Salvation Army could assist,” said Matthews. “Today was very emotional as we met with tenants who lost everything.”
Since tenants will be in need of the basic necessities – as well as furniture – once they are again settled into an apartment, Matthews said that area residents who wish to donate furniture are asked to drop off items at the Salvation Army on East Main Street or call for a pick up at (413) 785-1921.
“We are assessing what the needs are for displaced tenants and will be able to provide vouchers at thrift stores,” said Matthews.
Matthews added that while the Salvation Army will play a role in helping tenants, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will take a lead role by coordinating local agencies at a gathering later this week. At press time, a call to MEMA’s public information office was not returned with details.
Matthews said she expects during the MEMA formal session that fire victims will meet with a host of agencies that will address food, clothing and shelter.
“The community, as always, has been so generous in donating items,” said Matthews, noting that the Salvation Army Canteen truck from Pittsfield was also on-site on Sunday providing approximately 75 meals for the survivors and first responders. “We always have great support from our other service agents,” said Matthews.
Emily Mew, Western Massachusetts field representative for the Salvation Army, Massachusetts office, echoed those sentiments.
“These are obviously awful circumstances,” said Mew. “But as always, we are here to meet the need as best we can. We will be working closely with MEMA, the Red Cross, the property management, housing, and any other organization ready to assist.”
Mew added that as the Salvation Army determines specific needs of each family, they will “do the best we can” in offering them assistance in the form of vouchers for food, clothing, shelter, furniture and referrals.
“One excellent way to donate goods (clothing and furniture) is to donate to our Westfield Salvation Army thrift store,” said Mew. “We will be providing vouchers to the 21 families and with those vouchers they will be able to shop for the items that make the most sense for them.”
Mew noted that the Salvation Army will also continue to be available for ongoing assistance throughout the recovery process which for some might last several months.
“If emotional and spiritual care is determined as a growing need, this is also something we can provide,” said Mew.
There has also been an outpouring of support on Facebook through a page created for the Powdermill Village victims.
On Monday afternoon, Westfield Fire Chief Mary Regan and state Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said the fire was started by smoking materials that were disposed of improperly.
“It is important that smokers use appropriate containers for cigarette butts,” said Regan in a statement. “A can filled with sand or water is the best for outside use.”
Regan added that discarding cigarettes into mulch or dried leaves and grass can easily start a major fire that can grow undetected on the exterior of a building. The cause of the fire, according to a statement, originated on a back deck where smokers discarded their cigarette butts into a dried out potted plant in a plastic pot.
The Westfield Fire and Police Departments and State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal jointly investigated the fire. Westfield was assisted on scene by West Springfield and Holyoke Fire and Southampton EMS.
