Andrews family comes together after fire

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Laura Turner
  • 11th Wing Public Affairs
After a fire in base housing destroyed a row of town homes March 29, several Team Andrews families escaped with not much more than their lives. No lives were lost, and only two people were treated for minor injuries related to the fire.

Showcasing the Team Andrews spirit, service members, spouses and community members came together to provide everyday items these families lost in the fire.

The Andrews Attic, which provides second-hand household items for enlisted members, resembled a pre-holiday department store March 30 as Team Andrews members brought in load after load of donations for the effected families.

"The families were very appreciative of all the donations," said Andrews Attic Manager Tesha Black. "Whether it was monetary donations, gift cards, furniture or household items, the effected families were very overwhelmed with the kindness of the community."

Piles of clothes lined every wall, food was stacked to the ceiling and furniture came in by the truck-load for several days after the fire. Volunteers, including some friends and neighbors of the effected families, helped sort and place the donations.

"Community, defined as a 'unified body of individuals,' is a true descriptor of the Team Andrews family," said Col. Gregory Rosenmerkel, 11th Mission Support Group commander. "I'm proud to see our family come together in this time of need to lend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters displaced by the fire."

Opportunities are still available for those that would still like to contribute to this cause. The attic received an abundance of donations and will host a donation sale at 9 a.m. on April 9. Funds received, as well as gift card or cash donations, will be given to the families effected by the fire.

Volunteers are needed to help organize the items and are requested to be at the attic by 7 a.m. For more information, call 301-981-9665 or email andrewsafbattic@gmail.com.