Monday, February 28, 2000
Fire victims show gratitude
Dec. blaze led to outpouring
BY CINDI ANDREWS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
UNION TOWNSHIP — Two months after a fire destroyed an apartment building in southern Butler County, many of the 54 displaced families turned out Sunday to thank those who assisted them. The Dec. 23 fire caused a huge outpouring of giving, with the Key Foundation collecting $130,000 and 40 tons of clothing, furniture, toys and food in just days.
Leon Vincent recalled the first time he saw the donations piled up in the warehouse. “I said, "Please tell me this is not just the fire, it's a regular thing you do to help people.' It was unbelievable.
“I just want to say thank you,” Mr. Vincent said. “It's good to know there are some good people.”
The massive overflow of donations went to other Red Cross efforts, 28 charities in the region and Venezuelan mudslide relief, said Patti Alderson of the Key Foundation, a new nonprofit group.
Sunday's event brought victims, firefighters, police and drive organizers together against a backdrop of TV video of the fire. Acoustic music was provided by a couple who were themselves victims of the Woodbridge fire. “We saw these people in a crisis situation, and it's nice to meet them when it's not life-threatening,” said Lt. Bill Borneman of the Union Township fire de partment.
The blaze started as a grease fire in the kitchen of one apartment and quickly spread through the older building, Lt. Borneman said.
Many of those who lost their apartments expressed their gratitude Sunday, and firefighters came in for a chunk of that.
Gloria Bateman thanked them for saving her two cats, Shakespeare and Mao.
Tina Blackburn thanked them, too.
“I had it in my mind that I wanted to climb up (a ladder) and get my father's ashes,” Ms. Blackburn said. Firefighters threatened to arrest her if she didn't get off the ladder and then retrieved the remains for her, she said.
The help the victims received will beget other good deeds, said Joan Whittaker, one of the musicians.
“When it comes our turn to give back, that's something you inspired,” she said.
“We'll be here.”
As for the volunteers, they were modest: “I just like to do the work, help out,” said Pete Jensen, who helped run the warehouse where donations were collected and distributed.
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