By Chris Lawrence, WV Metronews
Around 80 people who formerly lived in the Regal Apartments in Charleston are now in the process of rebuilding their lives. A fire at the building destroyed the structure and everything inside this week.
For those who lived there, all of their worldly possessions were lost as the building had to be torn down as firemen tried to put out he flames.
“Just think if you woke up this morning and you had nothing, what would you need? Then prioritize it and give,” said John Roberts, who heads up the Mountain Mission in Charleston.
The Mountain Mission has thrift stores in the Capitol City and is working closely with the Central West Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross to help the victims begin to fulfill needs.
“All of the immediate needs are being met, but what we’re really look at is long term needs. We need donations of furniture and monetary donations help fulfil all needs that are not being met,” he explained in an appearance on 580-Live on MetroNews flagship station WCHS in Charleston Friday.
According to Roberts the Red Cross has put up the victims who don’t have other arrangements in a downtown Charleston hotel. The owner of the Regal apartments is working to find other rental properties in the city, some of which it owns, to provide tenants with new housing. Food and clothing needs are also being fulfilled thanks to an outpouring of support in the Charleston community.
“We have two thrift store locations in Charleston. KRT is bringing them down to one of the locations and we’re going to try and give them four or five outfits,” Roberts explained.
Anyone wanting to make a donation can do so via the agency’s PayPal account at mountainmission.com
