Donations keep coming for

Wasilla family that lost home to fire

March 25, 2005

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - Community donations continue coming in for a Wasilla-area family that recently lost its home off Knik Goose-Bay Road to fire.

On Tuesday, The Home Depot presented a check of $2,500 to the family at a Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce meeting. The Frontiersman also presented a $500 check from its nonprofit organization, Hope's Helping Hand, which collects donations for specific causes and funnels the money to the recipients.

Todd and Tammy Smith, along with their seven children, escaped injury by a fire that started when their 4-year-old caught a mattress on fire while playing with matches on March 11.

In an emotional moment, Amy Earle, sister of Tammy Smith, accepted the checks from Home Depot and the Frontiersman. Earle said the Smith family is grateful for the community outpouring. She said Spenard Builders Supply has also donated trusses for a new house and a contractor and architect are donating services as well.

The family plans to build a new home on the same lot this summer. Next week, a bulldozer is set to clear the burned debris so construction can begin. The Smith family currently lives in the home of a family friend as they work toward building a new home.

Those wishing to donate money to the Smith family may do so through Hope's Helping Hand by mailing checks, made payable to Hope's Helping Hand, to 5751 E. Mayflower Court, Wasilla, AK 99654.

For more information about the Hope's Helping Hand program, interested people may call Kari Sleight, publisher of the Frontiersman, at 352-2250.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.