CO-WORKERS HELP TO RAISE MONEY FOR FIRE VICTIM

SCOTT CITY -- Co-workers of a Chaffee woman who lost two children in a blaze that destroyed the family's mobile home last month are raising money to do what they can to help.

Workers at Blair Industries Inc., in Scott City have raised more than $3,000 to benefit the family of Janie Menz Sadler, who was victimized by the fire.

"Our employees are our best asset," said Tammy Popp, assistant operations manager at Blair Industries. "When someone is in need or something happens to a worker at Blair, the employees always do anything they can to help out. That's just the way people are here."

At about midnight on Jan. 22, a fire tore through the mobile home of Andy and Janie Sadler. Authorities were alerted to the fire by a passing motorist.

The mobile home was totally engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at the home on the Chaffee Rockview Road, about two miles outside the Chaffee city limits.

When firefighters arrived, Andy Sadler, his wife and their 2-year-old daughter had already escaped from the burning home. The fire had to be brought under control before firefighters could enter to search for the other two children.

Dewayne Andrew Sadler, 6, and Ashley Dawn Sadler, 7 months, died of asphyxiation from smoke inhalation, said Scott County Coroner Scott Amick. Their bodies were discovered by firefighters at opposite ends of the home.

The parents suffered serious burns and were transported to St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis. The 2-year-old daughter was unharmed. The Sadler's 8-year-old son had spent the night at a friend's home.

Chaffee Fire Chief Bill Hagan said the deaths marked the first fire fatalities in the Chaffee area since 1977. He said the fire apparently started around a single-wall flue pipe.

When co-workers of Janie Menz Sadler at Blair Industries in Scott City learned of her tragedy, they immediately coordinated efforts to help the family.

"It started with someone putting a memo on the bulletin board, telling everyone what had happened," Popp said. "From there it just took off; people started clicking with money-raising events."

The workers at Blair decided to donate the money they raised from the collection of aluminum cans in the factory to the Sadler family fund.

"A husband and wife team who work at Blair decided to have a lunch benefit for the family," Popp said. "They brought in food for lunch and most people donated their lunch money to the Sadler fund."

Popp said that the lunch idea went over so well with the employees that another woman took the initiative to do the same a few days later.

A few of the female employees at Blair held a raffle for some handmade dolls. The proceeds went to the Sadlers.

"Feb. 13 is National Pie Day," Popp said. "So on Feb. 12, we held an auction for pies made by other employees. One of our workers is an auctioneer."

Popp said that the pies sold for $10 to $500.

William B. Dixon, president of Blair Industries, is proud of his employees' efforts.

Said Dixon: "In the past 12 years of being in business here, there's one thing we've learned about the people: They have a love and care for their fellow man."

Janie Menz Sadler remains in the burn unit of St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis. No condition report was available. Andy Sadler has been released.

Raising money to benefit the Sadlers was not the first charity effort undertaken by Blair's employees. In December 1992, workers collected more than 6,000 pounds of canned food during a food drive by the Scott City Fire Department to benefit needy people within the city.

"That really flabbergasted us," Popp said.

Popp said that a few years ago an employee's car caught fire near Christmastime. All of the presents for the worker's children had been in the trunk of the car and it looked like all had been lost. Within hours employees at Blair had "passed the hat" and collected more than $500 for the family, thereby allowing them to buy Christmas gifts.

"It's a good bunch of people we have working here," Popp said. "All these things are a group effort; no one person can be named responsible."

"This is what people who love and care are all about," Dixon said. "It's an honor to have them as friends and fellow Southeast Missourians."

Anyone wishing to contribute to the Sadler Family Fund can contact the Blair Industries personnel department at 264-2146.