Yakima's generosity after YWCA fire overwhelms director

Dec. 23--YAKIMA, Wash. -- Yakima YWCA director Amy Flynn knew the Yakima community was generous. But she was blown away by the response Wednesday to news that a fire and subsequent sprinkler system had damaged gifts planned for YWCA resident families.

"It has been amazing," Flynn said Wednesday afternoon. "We've just had so many people come in today, dropping off gifts, dropping off cash donations; people have volunteered to do some shopping for us tomorrow if need be. It's been amazing."

The fire occurred Tuesday morning in one of the facility's apartments, which are used to house domestic violence victims. It was started by a young child playing with a lighter.

While the fire damage was contained to that unit, water from the sprinkler system cascaded into the basement, where Christmas gifts were stacked waiting to be given out to the 183 families served by the YWCA.

The water damaged gifts for 115 of those families. Among the ruined items were stuffed animals, books and games, along with clothing for both kids and mothers, blankets, towels and pillows.

Yakima Fire Department spokesman Capt. Jeff Pfaff estimated the sprinklers released some 2,000 gallons of water before the system was turned off.

Flynn praised firefighters' efforts, marveling at how hard they worked to save as many toys as possible.

"I just can't say thank you enough," she said.

The family in that unit is still displaced, she said, so her chief concern at the moment is making sure they have somewhere to stay, but insurance covers the damage and crews are already working to dry out the building.

All day Wednesday, Flynn said, people from the community have been coming by to drop off gifts and donations.

"We had a family of little ones that brought some of their toys, that was under the tree for them; we had an older couple that came in; we had businesses that went shopping for some of our families," she said.

"I am overwhelmed by the amount of the support we've received. It's just been wonderful. Tremendous blessing."

-- Molly Rosbach can be reached at 509-577-7728 or mrosbach@yakimaherald.com.

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