Losing your home to fire is one of the worst tragedies any family can face. It is a true disaster in so many ways. It is the loss of much more than a home – it is the loss of comfort and security that a home represents. A fire emergency is a very difficult crisis to deal with for all families , but for lower income families with little or no disposable income, a fire emergency can be devastating.

In the past year, over a dozen families with children in our area have lost everything due to devastating house fires. These incidents have not only taken their homes, but also their sense of security, stability and cherished memories. In the face of such tragedy , we are reminded of the power of community – and the importance of standing together when our neighbors need us most.

When a fire disaster occurs, the United Way of Greater Fort Dodge is here to help these families in need of emergency assistance. A house fire often destroys everything for a family. These families need immediate help with emergency shelter, food, clothing, prescription medication, personal hygiene items, other personal items such as driver’s licenses, Social Security cards, birth certificates, furniture, transportation and other critical needs. These families often escape from their home with only the clothes on their backs.

When a family loses their home, the costs of dealing with this crisis are overwhelming for lower income families. Not only are these families coping with a family crisis that is extremely emotional, but they are also having to deal with an immediate financial crisis.

United Way provides a caring and helpful hand to families in turmoil due to a devastating fire. United Way helps cover costs for families to stay in a local motel until they can find housing. And we provide personal assistance to help these families get resettled into new housing and stabilize their lives that have been traumatically uprooted.

The United Way of Greater Fort Dodge works closely with the Fort Dodge Fire Department so we can respond quickly to help families that need immediate assistance.

Community support and knowing how to help after a house fire become extremely critical for victims to rebuild their lives. Donations from caring citizens to our United Way Fire Response Fund help us to be there for families that are dealing with a life-altering event, and you will be making a lasting impact on the lives of neighbors who truly need a helping hand.

Donations to help families devastated by a fire can be made payable to the United Way Fire Response Fund and mailed to United Way of Greater Fort Dodge, 24 N. Ninth St., Suite B, Fort Dodge, IA 50501. Or you can donate online at www.unitedwayfd.org. For more information on how you can help, call United Way at (515) 573-3171.

Let’s come together to turn tragedy into hope and show these families that they are not alone.

Randy Kuhlman is the chief executive officer of the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way.