Donations needed to help Lind family

Lind School District faculty members are collecting donations to directly benefit the local family who lost their home and a child to a house fire last night. The faculty members are collecting household items, food, bedding, cookware, clothing and any other items to help the family rebuild.

Lind School District principal, Brian Ellis, is encouraging community members to donate anything they can afford, with a focus on clothing and toiletries. The family had multiple children living in the home and need clothing for: boy (tall) 14 years of age; boy, 12; boy, 8; boy, 4; boy, two months; girl, 3; and a girl, 1.

Ellis said the faculty is working to find donations for the infant, such as diapers and formula, as soon as possible.

The amount of donations has already been bountiful, but Ellis said the family is still in need of all basic household supplies. As Ellis explained, there are so many items used on a daily basis that are taken for granted and it is not until they are gone that you realize the importance. A few of these items include toilet paper, toothpaste and hand soap.

Ellis said a few beds and a crib mattress set for the baby have already been donated, but there is still a need for mattresses for the rest of the family members.

Earlier today, Ellis found a refrigerator for the family to use and is now looking for food items to fill the fridge.

The Lind churches and the Ritzville Food Pantry are also coordinating outreach efforts and collecting donations for the family. The food bank is in the process of making a donation to the family and clothes are being donated from the Lind Community Church’s clothing bank.

“It’s amazing how many people are donating and asking how they can help,” Ellis said.

The school district is currently looking into starting a donation account at a local bank. Kristy Saetre is accepting cash donations at Lind-Ritzville Middle School.

A TracFone has been donated to the family and contributions for additional minutes on the pre-paid account can also be given to Saetre. Lind-Ritzville Middle School is located at 507 North E Street in Lind.

Tomorrow, the We Lind Ritzville club is distributing donation jars to around 30 local businesses and will donate the funds collected over the course of the next week to the Lind family.

Any individual interested in making a donation to the family is asked to bring the contribution to the Lind Schools. Questions can be directed to Saetre or Ellis, who can be reached at Lind Elementary School, 677-3481, or at the middle school, 677-3408.

For donations needing to be delivered after school hours, contact Ellis at 677-3501.

Lori Olson is collecting contributions at her home in Ritzville and can be reached on her cell phone, 660-3129.