The Callaway County United Way gave SERVE, Inc. a check last week to further help the 26 Holts Summit families who were displaced by the Oct. 3 Evergreen Apartments fire.
The Red Cross provided assistance for the families immediately following the fire. They gave residents blankets and provided meals to families Friday night. SERVE has also been providing additional aid. The organization collected clothing, household items and other necessities to help the families.
The Callaway County United Way Board of Directors sets aside a small amount of money at the beginning of its fiscal year for an Agency Crisis Fund.
"Over the years, our agencies have been met with end-of-calendar-year emergencies - unforeseen expenses or circumstances that have used up funding far faster than expected," board president Glenn O. Harris wrote in a press release. "This year, we wanted to set funds aside for just that situation, and the fire at the Evergreen Apartments, combined with the efforts made by SERVE, Inc., fit these criteria perfectly."
The fire at the Evergreen Condos, located just off of Route AA in Holts Summit, was called in after 1 p.m. Oct. 3, according to reports from Holts Summit Fire Protection District. Smoke and flames were seen for several miles due to strong winds. There were no reported injuries from the fire.
Board members presented a check from that fund to SERVE last week.