Contributed photos. The photo above was taken at the Bay Tree Fire Department’s Turkey Shoot held to raise money for the Mathis family.
by Charlotte Smith
Two homes were destroyed by fires in Bladen County, but communities have pulled together to help raise funds for the victims.
On Thanksgiving morning, a Clarkton family lost their home due to a fire starting in their vehicle. Then, on November 30, 2020, the Mathis family lost their home and their family pet to a fire.
Not only are the families dealing with the devastation of the fires, but both are dealing with health issues as well.
The home destroy in Clarkton belonged to Eleanor Callahan a 78 year-old lady and her son, David Callahan. David now has to travel for dialysis treatments, although their vehicle was destroyed in the fire.
The family pulled together to help their loved ones during their time of need. One family member made wooden Christmas Trees to sell at Lolli’s On Main in Bladenboro to raise money. Another family member started a GoFund Me page.
With 63 donors the GoFund Me page for the Callahan family is almost at the $5,000 goal.
Crystal Edwards, the daughter of Eleanor stated on the GoFund Me page, “We have been astounded by the outpouring of support we have received. We want to say thank you for donations, support, & prayers.”
Donations continue to be collected on the GoFundMe site; click now to donate.
Tyrone Mathis and his family lost their home and family pet to an electrical fire on November 30th. The family home was destroyed a week before Tyrone was scheduled to have a bone marrow transplant due to his Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.
Sandy Smith started a GoFund Me page to help the family with a goal of $5,000. The 179 donors well exceeded the GoFundMe goal by raising over $16,500 so far.
This past weekend the Bay Tree Fire Department held a Turkey Shoot to raise money for the Mathis family as well.
Fire Captain Kevin Talbert and Assistant Chief Jimmy Skinner helped organize the event.
Captian Talbert said, “We had a good turn out. We raised $4,000 for Tyrone and his family. Special thanks to Ken at Coaches for donations and to everyone who helped with the fundraiser.”
Donations for the Mathis family continue to be collected on the GoFundMe site and at some local businesses in Elizabethtown and White Lake.
Read the previous article.
https://bladencounty.org/two-fires-claim-homes-pet-vehicle/
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