Fire Victims on the path to recovery Part 1

Firefighters battling not only the fire but the elements to bring the flames under control (photo D.Hubbard)

The fire that devastated the lives of several of Oskaloosa’s residents the night of December 12th, 2010 has not kept one young couple down for long. I had the honor of talking with Justin and Caree Gordon this Thursday. I learned a lot about them and their struggle to recover.

Their faith in God and their neighbor has brought them through one of the toughest times someone can have happen to them.

First of all, I asked,” Have you found a home, a permanent home?” “We were in a hotel temporarily, waiting on a house.” Justin said.

Currently the Gordon’s are on standby until the current resident of that house has moved out. They are in a temporary apartment until a home becomes available sometime in the near future.

Their current apartment is a big step up from the motels that have been home until recently. With the apartment they got a kitchen and it has furniture so they can start living a more normal life again while they wait for their permanent place to open up. “It is much more comfortable, it’s furnished, and has couches and stuff, you know, so you can actually relax instead of having to sit on the bed all the time.” Justin said of their current place.

The apartment that was destroyed by fire December 12, 2010 was recently demolished

Are you curious if they need stuff? They do, but they ask that people hold off until the time that they get ready to move because of current issues of finding enough storage. Love Inc. has been helping them with that, but currently Love Inc. has a real shortage of space in order to help hold items for many of those they help. If you have room, and want to donate some extra space that you may have, you can contact Love Inc. at (641) 672-1568. They have other needs currently to help others as well, such as drivers who would be willing to drive to Des Moines and Iowa City.

“Mahaska County Emergency Management got me in touch with the Red Cross right away. We had a meeting set up with them in the office right away.” (The Red Cross)” They were a huge help, they gave us like an expense card for food and medicine and anything like that, and they also did the first 2 nights in a hotel for us.” Caree said of the initial response right after the fire.

This was the Gordon's kitchen in their apartment. (photo Caree Gordon)

She went on to say, “Love Inc. has been amazing, Robin has been amazing. She’s really the one that has done all of the housing arrangements and also any furniture, that we’re not getting from other places, they’re gonna be able to help with. Also, Love Inc. in combination with Mahaska Homeless Coalition then picked up the other nights in the motel after the Red Cross. The Red Cross did also pick up one more night, so they actually did 3 nights.”

There were many people and organizations that have helped out so far. Crisis Intervention, The Ecumenical Cupboard, Outfits and Antiques, and the Clothes Closet have all helped. The Ecumenical Cupboard were very accommodating and worked with the Gordons because, while they stayed at a hotel, they had no refrigerator or way to cook which proved to be a challenge.

Speaking of visiting the Ecumenical Cupboard, Caree said “That’s a pretty humbling experience when you go to a food cupboard like that and the people who are there, that also need help, say ‘wow, your the people from the fire. I’m really sorry.’ Your standing in line with other people who are there to get help and when they are acknowledging that wow, your in more need than I am, that really takes you back.”

There is so much that they shared that I will break this up and share it in several parts this week. If you have any questions or comments, email info@oskynews.org.