The local community is pulling together to help those affected by the Stimens Apartments complex fire that ravished one building and displaced approximately 50 residents. Mansfield City Schools, Richland County emergency agencies, Love INC, Mansfield Fit Camp, and Johnny Biggs restaurant are all reaching out to the vicitims.
Mansfield City Schools Superintendent Brian Garverick said there are several student families and relatives of staff members who were involved in the Nov. 19 fire at 750 Maple St.
“We are going to work with the auditor to where if anyone wants to contribute to that, then that money will go towards assisting our Mansfield City School families,” he said during a special meeting Thursday, which was a rescheduled regular board meeting.
Gaverick said Jason Goings, Mansfield Middle School principal is developing a fundraiser for students by possibly hosting a Spirit Day where the children can wear a hat to school if they donate to the cause.
Richland County Emergency Management Director Mike Bailey said efforts are being coordinated among the local Red Cross, Stimens Apartments management and the Information Line/ Richland County 211.
Monetary donations can be made out to the Richland County Red Cross, with Maple Street fire in the memo line, said Michael Shipley, SAF Coordinator with the local Red Cross. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to 39 N. Park St., Mansfield, OH 44902.
Donations of all kinds of items, especially big donation,s can be dropped off a Stimens Apartments building, 703 S. Main St., Mansfield. It is a big building where residents can shop at a makeshift store from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Monday.
Richland County 211 or the Information Line at 419-522-4636 (both numbers go to the same place) is the line to call to donate things such as household items, said Connie Young, an Information Specialist at 211.
Young said they are creating a database of the donations in which the Stimens management will have access as well.
The Information Line is also partnering with Love INC (In the Name of Christ) to help the fire victims. Love INC is a non-profit group comprised of local churches who come together to “try to capture the needs of the community,” Young said, by helping with case management and household items.
“Love INC also has contact with the different churches who have different things to offer,” she said.
Kevin Fields, manager at the Ontario restaurant Johnny Biggs, said guests have already donated a truckload full of items in exchange for a free appetizer or dessert.
“We are locally owned and operated, so we wanted to get involved and help out,” he said.
The promotion to help the fire victims will go on through next week, Fields said. Larger items should be taken directly to the Stimens building at 703 S. Main St.
Mansfield Fit Camp organizer Jessica Luttrell has family members who have been affected by the fire. She and the members of Mansfield PREP (Positively Restoring and Empowering People) will host a “Fit 4 the Cause” fundraiser from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22.
Residents are encouraged to donate coats, hats, gloves, toiletry items and monetary gifts of $5 or more. The event will take place at the Hedges School, 176 Hedges St. and a free workout will take place in the schools’ gym from 9 to 10 a.m.
“We come together every single week as a fitness group and we are committed to helping each other physically, emotionally and spiritually,” Luttrell said. “So we want to come together with the community to at least try collect as many goods and donations as we can for the families.”
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