Firefighters set up fund to help local family rebuild home

Jan. 11--A Walla Walla family whose home was seriously damaged in a weekend fire is getting a helping hand from the local firefighters' union and an account set up at a local bank.

After a fire in the chimney severely damaged the Flores family's Oak Street home shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday.

Cole Massey, the city's fire and police department chaplain, brought the family's plight to the Benevolent Association of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 404, said Cody Maine, the union's secretary-treasurer.

The family was one of four in Walla Walla displaced by fires over the weekend, but the only one left entirely without a home, Massey said. "Right now the family only has what the Red Cross has given them," he said, adding that the family had no insurance and is currently staying with friends.

" ... (T) hey need to get their home fixed," Massey said.

The Benevolent Association operates exclusively for charitable purposes, allowing the union to solicit donations like those to the Flores family. The association set up an account for donations with Banner Bank on Tuesday.

Donations are accepted at local Banner branches and can be made payable to "Walla Walla Firefighters Benevolent," according to Massey.

Proceeds will go directly to the Flores family for aid with food, clothes and rebuilding efforts.

Andy Monserud can be reached at andymonserud@wwub.com or 509-526-8326.

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