In the days and weeks that have followed the tragic Jan. 2 fire which claimed the life of Carthage youth, 5-year-old Braden E. Westmoreland, benefits have been held with more planned for the survivors: Josh Davis, Ashley Watkins and their 5-month old child who escaped the blaze.
The benefits are being held in an effort to help rebuild the family’s lives.
Carthage hosted a chili cook-off and bake sale Saturday in the rural northwestern Rush County community and an unconfirmed report indicated that more than $1,000 was generated from the effort.
A local fundraising effort will be held Feb. 9 at the Westside Bar, 715 West Second Street, Rushville.
The local establishment will play host to two bands, Lost Kauze of Indianapolis and House Arrest of Metamora. The $10 admission cost for a couple ($7 for a single admission) will include a hog roast dinner and other activities, with all proceeds going to the young family.
Davis and Watkins are in their early 20s, and if losing a child was not tragic enough the couple also lost their home and all personal belongings.
Collection of household items, hygiene items, non-perishable food, bedding and clothing are currently underway.
The family escaped with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.
Immediate needs include baby boy clothes sizes 12 to 18 months and diapers size 3 to 4.
The parents are in need of clothing items as well. Watkins, large tops, pants size 14 and shoes size 8 1/2 and Davis, 2X shirts, 38x34 pants and shoes size 12 to 13.
A trust fund for those in a position to financially assist the family was set up in the days that followed the fire at First Financial Bank with branches in Carthage and Rushville.
Additional information regarding the February benefit can be obtained from Mary Messer (765) 938-1485 or Michele Durham (765) 932-2130.
Rushville Mayor Merv Bostic recently relayed information that two individuals — Gary Ralston and Mike Gibson of the Carthage area — are raising funds to demolish and rebuild the home destroyed by the fire.
According to Bostic, the pair, with the assistance of others, are in the early stages of lining up contractors and are in the process of procuring lumber and other needed supplies for the project. Bostic has also put out a request to city employees to help with this project on their own time if they are so inclined and able to do so.
Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
News
Benefits held and planned for Carthage family
Community ready to help during rebuilding process
- News
-
-
RCCF Education Fund Grants awarded
The Rush County Education Fund Grants Committee recently met to review grant applications for the 2012 grant cycle and to make their recommendations to the Rush County Community Foundation's Board of Directors.
-
Commissioners hear of feasibility study
The Rush County Commissioners met earlier this week and heard a report regarding a feasibility study currently underway regarding the city possibly running an ambulance service out of the Rushville Fire Department.
-
Pool open
Waggener Community Pool will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The pool will be closed Monday and Tuesday and then open again Wednesday as was originally scheduled. Information: 932-7100.
-
Farmers Market
The Rush County Farmers and Artisans Market kicks off the 2012 season at 9 a.m. Saturday in the 100 block of East Third Street in downtown Rushville!
-
Good Samaritan recognized for heroic efforts
The lives of three complete strangers became intertwined the morning of Oct. 25, 2011.
-
Lion Project showing community pride
If you've been paying attention, you'll have noticed that new concrete lions are showing up all over town.
-
Waggener Pool opening Saturday and Sunday
In an update to this story, the City announced plans today to open Waggener Community Pool earlier than originally planned due to expected high temperatures over Memorial Weekend. Mayor Mike Pavey has asked that the pool be open this coming Saturday and Sunday. Hours will be noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The pool will be closed on Monday for Memorial Day and Tuesday, and open again Wednesday, May 30, as was originally scheduled.
-
Why do young white women risk cancer to be tan?
A CDC report out this month found that nearly one in three white women aged 18 to 25 had used a tanning booth in the previous year. White women aged 18 to 21 went the most often, averaging 27.6 sessions per year—that’s over two sessions per month—while nearly 70 percent said they had gone at least 10 times in the last year.
-
Collision lands driver in Indy trauma center
A Milroy woman sustained serious injuries in a single vehicle accident on SR 244 west of Milroy that was reported shortly after 1 p.m. Monday.
-
Todd resigns
Bill Todd (center) is pictured during a recent meeting of the Rush County Commissioners at which he formally announced that he had turned in his resignation as the Rush County Area Plan Director. Todd has served in the capacity of APC director since 1998.
- More News Headlines
-
RCCF Education Fund Grants awarded
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
