Volunteers help Cape family find new home

A Cape Girardeau woman and her family forced out of their South Middle Street home by a fire early Wednesday morning have found new housing furnished by area volunteer groups.

Volunteers from Love In the Name of Christ, or Love INC, delivered mattresses, couches, a kitchen table, clothing and more to Betty Johnson's new home on North Spanish Street on Thursday.

Although Love INC, a partnership of more than 20 area churches, was only able to gather three volunteers to move in the items, due to short notice, Johnson and her three children were moved into their new home in about two hours.

"It doesn't always happen this quickly," said Eva Hillis, executive director of Love INC in Cape Girardeau. "There has been a great outpouring from the community. We're to a point now that we can offer more than we could two years ago."

The fire in Johnson's one-and-a-half-story home started because a stove burner was left on in the kitchen. Investigators ruled the fire accidental, according to Mark Hasheider, Cape Girardeau Fire Department assistant fire chief.

Many of Johnson's belongings were destroyed.

"Betty was thankful for all of the help," said Habitat for Humanity ReStore manager Walt Wildman, a volunteer who helped move furniture from an area church to Johnson's new home.

A number of Cape Girardeau churches helped with furnishing Johnson's home, including St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, which gave a newly purchased full-size bed and twin beds for the children. Other ministries donated bunk beds and a recliner, while Cape Community Church contributed various linens. Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson agreed to deliver meals to Johnson and her family about three times a week over the next few weeks.

"We pay really close attention to fire victims especially when they're in the news. St. Vincent's, which sponsors the furniture ministry, has fire victims as a No. 1 priority," Hillis said.

Individuals seeking to donate to Johnson or other people in need can visit the area's Love INC at www.loveincsemo.org. Hillis encourages residents to support not-for-profit organizations year round.

"This happens all year long. In March or May, we need to feel that same tug at our heartstrings," Hillis said.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635