IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – The community is rallying together to support over a dozen people who were displaced by a tragic fire on East H Street Friday night. The fire, which took place at a 10-unit apartment complex, claimed the life of a 46-year-old woman, left 3 others with minor injuries, and completely destroyed the building. At least 8 households and 15 people are left having to start over with nothing.
Dave Fraser, the Owner at Maxx Entertainment Center, spoke out about the overwhelming support they have received from the community. “There’s a GoFundMe up right now, and I think that goal was set around $20,000, which at the end of the day is only $2000 a family, and when you lose everything, a couple of thousand dollars is just enough to get necessities that you lost so we’re really pulling hard for that,” he said. The Gofundme is currently inching toward $1000 of its $20,000 goal, and still in need of support. Currently, volunteers at the Maxx Entertainment Center are requesting that no more clothing and shoe donations are dropped off, as there is more than enough. Gift cards and shelf-stable food items are still being accepted at the Maxx.
Fraser emphasized that in-person financial donations are the best way to help, which are being accepted at Incredible Bank and at the Maxx Entertainment Center. “Any donations, financial, cash, whatever that you bring to the Maxx, all comes in, it goes in an envelope. It’s all tallied. We’re keeping track right to the dollar. So everybody sees what’s going in and going out, and which families are getting what,” he explained.
Volunteers are needed to sort through donations, and organizers are planning a mid-June benefit to further assist the affected families. In the meantime, the Maxx Entertainment Center will be fundraising for the families through Memorial Weekend. “During our next couple events, like this weekend, we’ve got the Veterans’ Tribute Ride that’s landing here. There’ll be a donation bucket out for that day. And then at our next show the following weekend we’ll also have a donation bucket out. And again, 100% of it is going to the people, and it’s all being tracked,” Fraser stated.
He also mentioned that the most needed items right now are day-to-day essentials, as many of the displaced individuals do not have a place to store larger items yet. “Financial donations of any gifts certificates to a store in town or anything like that. They’re replacing all their stuff, even groceries are things that they could use,” he said.
Fraser encouraged those who wish to donate to consider gift cards to local stores or dry food items.
“In lieu of groceries, if you could go get a gift card or something from Super One or Tadych’s Econo Foods, or Aldi’s, Walmart – it doesn’t matter – that’s probably the best thing to do if you’re going to do donations. Otherwise, if there’s dry foods, we would take that stuff for sure,” he stated.
The Maxx Entertainment Center is also looking for volunteers to come during the Maxx’s open hours to help sort through, fold, and distribute items received on behalf of the displaced fire victims.
The community has already shown an incredible amount of support, and Fraser expressed his gratitude for all the donations that have poured in, especially the half-a-dozen beds donated by Slumberland Furniture as well as the generosity of Ball & Christy Furniture and Sleep Center for arranging an efficient storage option for the donated goods, furniture, and items. “If you would like to make a donation, you can stop by the Maxx Entertainment Center during their opening hours from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. central time daily, or Sundays from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. central time,” shared Fraser.
Link to the GoFundMe:
