Fire sale helps Red Cross: Funds to aid area families

Oct 26, 2008 (The Dominion Post - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- DCX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- More than a year ago, a small family living in Everettville watched helplessly as firefighters fought a blaze that consumed everything they owned.

The Cogar family's aging wooden two-story house was located along a gravel road in a small, isolated hollow.

The fire started in the kitchen at about 6:40 p.m. on a Friday in May, and was contained about an hour later by 35 firefighters from six area fire departments.

The family lost dishes, a television, a computer, clothes, beds and their daughter's new crib.

"Practically everything we had was ruined," said Crystal Cogar at the time. "We were just beginning to get ahead in life, and now we don't even know where to start."

The Cogars turned to the Red Cross for help.

"The Red Cross was great," said A.J. Cogar on Saturday. "They put us up in a hotel for a few days after the fire. They also gave us a gift card that got us through some hard times. That definitely helped out a lot there. They helped us get back on our feet during a difficult time. We are forever grateful."

On Saturday, the River Valley chapter of the Red Cross held a fire sale to raise money to assist people like the Cogars who are displaced or otherwise affected by fire. The chapter, which serves Monongalia, Preston and 10 other counties, expects to respond to 25 percent more house fires than last year.

While the auctioneer was calling out prices, the Chapter's Executive Director Judith Ballangee, predicted the auction would raise more than $10,000.

"All of the funds raised will benefit those who have suffered from house fires," she said. "When a family has a fire, we help them get back on their feet with clothing, money for food and the basic essentials."

Items donated for the auction included automobiles, an antique piano, a Celtic harp, a vintage lawyer's desk, household goods, bookcases, glassware, pottery, art, power tools, furniture, old farm implements and other collectibles. A 1978 Mercedes Benz with about 40,000 miles on it, donated by a Wheeling doctor, was purchased for $5,600.

"I really don't need any of the stuff I bought, but I just wanted to help out a wonderful organization," said Sue Collins, 51, of Morgantown, who purchased a room-sized rug, a quilt, a golf umbrella and a "ton of other stuff."

Each year, the organization helps thousands of "fire" families. In 2007, the River Valley Chapter assisted more than 80 families and provided at least $80,000 in direct financial assistance. The chapter hopes to raise $75,000 in preparation for this year's fire season.

"The auction went really well today," said Jack Thompson, director of communications and development for the River Valley Red Cross. "We had great support for donors and buyers. The Red Cross really counts on support from the public, and events like these help us to help them."

West Virginia ranks second annually in the number of house fires that the Red Cross responds to.

"Because it will be a colder winter this year, people will be using alternative methods to heat their homes," Ballangee said. "That could mean more space heaters, more risk. So we predict this winter will be one of our busiest."

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