Family thankful for fire response

Thank you to all the firefighters and emergency personnel who so quickly responded to our fire on Hay Road on Monday. In spite of the high winds and freezing temperatures, in four hours they somehow managed to save the entire outer log shell — a phenomenal feat!

After about three hours they found our two kitties — soaked, somewhat burned and terrified out of their wits — and carefully bundling them brought them out to us, as gentle as could be and as concerned for them as if they had been individual people. All Creatures Clinic rushed to save them, waiving most of the bill. A man standing nearby, anonymously donated $100 to the “Fire Kitties”. He simply said: “It’s Christmas.”

We have been amazed at the outpouring of love and concern from not only friends and neighbors, but complete strangers in the community!

Many offered their spare bedrooms, or even whole basement apartments. The Red Cross, the Farm Loop Christian Center, our Allstate agent was immediately there offering food, clothing and comfort. Our high school and middle school children found how much their fellow students and teachers cared when bags of clothing were brought to school and invitations extended from students to our children to come stay at their houses. Our son’s wrestling coach simply took him in as they prepare for regionals and state.

McDonald’s in Palmer gave out a free meal, PJMS waived the hot lunch fees for our two youngest and many cards were sent around and signed by the classes. The CHS Band held a fundraiser during their annual Christmas concert, for the two “fire” families of this past week. And the tremendous structure of preparation and service from our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, came into play within an hour of the fire having started.

So thank you to all, what good people we have living in this Valley, especially you wonderful firemen, who at one point fighting the fire saw our large family picture over the grand piano and carefully took it down, taking it outside to be saved to be the beginning of the next wonderful years of our lives.

Linda and Norm West

and Josh, Andrea, Amanda and Sam