Mitchell family back on feet after fire with help from donations [The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.]

Jan. 07--Members of a Mitchell family whose home was destroyed by fire last April have a number of local residents and businesses to thank for help provided while the family recovered.

It was the morning of April 20 when Kris Stemper rushed his family out of their home on Duff Street in Mitchell, only to watch it be consumed by fire to the extent that fire officials would later declare it a total loss.

Stemper and his family, which includes wife Terri and children Sidney, 15, Samantha, 16, and Shelby, 17, had lived at the house for less than two months when the fire occurred.

Stemper's other daughter April, 19, was not at home when the fire took place.

They had hardly finished unpacking and had not purchased rental insurance.

The local chapter of the American Red Cross provided them with three days at a local hotel immediately after the fire, but left housing arrangements up to the family after that.

A benefit account was created at a bank in Mitchell to provide assistance to the family while they recovered from the fire.

But the help didn't end there.

A local camper dealer provided the family with a free camper they could stay in for two months while they looked for another home.

And once that home was found, more Mitchell businesses stepped up and offered the Stempers various supplies for their new home, which needed renovation.

Among the donations were 20 gallons of paint, 10 sheets of drywall, ceramic tile and two months of free rent in exchange for the renovations from the family's new landlord.

"I couldn't have done what I did to that house without their help," Stemper said, referring to his family's new home and all those who contributed to the effort.

"If I didn't get their help, we still wouldn't have a place to live."

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