United Way helps McKinley Fire victims rebuild with support from community

WASILLA — United Way of Mat-Su has been supporting McKinley Fire victims since the outset. They’re seeking support from the community for their all-encompassing support with partners and volunteers, ranging from case management to transporting much needed items for daily life and overall reconstruction efforts across the Upper Susitna area.

“We continue to do that work,” United Way of Mat-Su outreach coordinator, McKinley long term recovery group fire volunteer manager Michele Harmeling said. “It’s a long road to recovery. There’s still about a year to go before a full recovery... and we will work with them until that’s achieved.”

Several community members formed the McKinley Fire Long Term Recovery Group, aided by United Way and other sections of the community like firefighters and Mat-Su Borough officials. They all share the same goal, to further disaster relief efforts.

United Way has been supporting fire victims during the winter with heating assistance and delivering essential items with help from partners like Tows R Us.

The big push for the summer is to get as much reconstruction done as possible, all fueled by time and resources donated by the community. Harmeling said they’re seeking all kinds of building materials from the public, particularly insulation, prehung doors or windows, any kind of lumber or plywood, as well as nails and screws.

“... To make sure they can at least get walls up and a roof done,” Harmeling said.

Harmeling noted food and financial donations are also very helpful, and funds go directly toward their efforts helping households devastated by the 2019 wildfire.

Volunteers currently sort through donations, catalogues them and match them to families in need at a designated donation center. Harmeling said the center is open Fridays from 12 to 4 p.m. and it’s a warehouse located at 28468 Talkeetna Spur.

“We’re very thankful for all our partners... Without them, it wouldn’t be possible,” Harmeling said.

United Way is currently working with 19 families who lost everything with no insurance, and over 20 families that weren’t hit as hard but still in need of assistance. They’ve helped move in a family of nine and helped Tows R Us deliver a portable donated by the Fairview Baptist Church.

For more information on how to support United Way’s efforts aiding McKinley Fire victims, call 907-373-5807 or visit unitedwaymatsu.org/uwms/help-mckinley-fire-survivors-rebuild-this-summer.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com