Local Organization Helps Victim of Apartment Fire

Disaster Relief of Armstrong County Vice-President Tom Ward helps an Apollo woman with items that the organization donated to her after she lost everything in an August 11 fire.

by Nathan Lasher

Disaster Relief of Armstrong County (DROAC) met with an Apollo woman who recently lost everything in an apartment fire, yesterday afternoon, and offered her as much help as they could give.

“I appreciate everything that everyone has done,” said the woman who wished to remain unidentified. “They are helping me out a lot. I had only been home two days from having surgery, and all of my food and everything burned.”

After losing everything in her apartment on August 11 of this year, the woman has found a new place to live. However, she has been in need of items to fill it with.

According to Case Manager Pam Norris, DROAC recently received a grant through the Armstrong County Foundation which helped to pay for items donated to help the woman get back onto her feet.

“We don’t donate money,” said Norris. “We got her some gift cards for groceries and some household things that she can use.”

Since DROAC’s formation in 2006, the group has helped well over 40 families.  “Whenever there is a disaster in the area, whether it is a fire or flood, Red Cross is usually the first relief group that comes in and helps the families out,” said Norris. “From there, the Red Cross refers the families. We are on the list of agencies that families are referred to. We mainly help people who are uninsured or under-insured. We meet monthly at the Manor Township Municipal Building, but we have a garage that we purchased to store donated items; a lot of people will donate. Sometimes a family will come to us and their needs are much more than we can financially cover for everything. So, sometimes they’re willing to take used things like dressers, tables, chairs, or couches. We try to help fulfill the families’ needs as much as possible.”

DROAC is always open to receiving volunteers, new members, and donations. Any residents interested in helping DROAC in any way should call 724-859-6581 or 724-763-3764.