FRUITDALE — Brown County and Morgantown residents rallied the week before Christmas to aid a family of six who lost their home in a fire.
By the time firefighters arrived just after 3 a.m. Dec. 19, the Merriman family was out of the one-story home at 1008 Three Story Hill Road, but it was fully engulfed in flames, Jackson Township Fire Department Chief Glenn Elmore said.
The home was a total loss, he said.
It was home to Dustyn and Ashley Merriman, a 10-year-old boy, a 7-year-old girl and 3-year-old twins, a boy and girl.
Jewel Blevins, an aunt to Dustyn, said the couple was only able to save a few Christmas presents they had bought for their children.
Once word got out on social media, their Brown County and Morgantown neighbors were asking how they could help.
The Pine Room/Muddy Boots in Nashville hosted a fundraiser for the family Dec. 22 to collect money, clothing and any other donations people were willing to give.
Blevins organized donations for the family. A donation jar was placed at the People’s State Bank in Morgantown.
Local business owner Jeremy Langley allowed people to send donations to the family via his PayPal account.
Donations were also being accepted at General Assembly and Church of Firstborn on East Street in Morgantown.
In addition to Jackson Township volunteers, Hamblen Township, Brown County (Nashville) and Fruitdale fire departments in Brown County assisted, as well as Trafalgar firefighters.
Elmore said firefighters faced some challenges fighting the fire. The driveway was steep and covered in ice, forcing firefighters to run water lines from Three Story Hill to the home about 500 feet away.
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MONEY
Personal checks can be sent to the General Assembly and Church of Firstborn in care of Bill Bryant, 229 East St., Morgantown, IN 46160. Include in the memo line either Dustyn Merriman or Ashley Merriman’s name.
A donation jar was placed at the People’s State Bank in Morgantown.
Local business owner Jeremy Langley is accepting donations for the family via his PayPal account; they are to be marked as a gift and sent to [email protected].
CLOTHING, TOYS
Ashley wears a size 9 in shoes, a 10 to 12 in pants and mainly medium or large shirts.
Dustyn works outside and is in need of work clothes. He wears a 32-34 pant, large to extra large shirts — he is tall, his aunt, Jewel Blevins said — and size 13 shoes.
The oldest boy wears size 10 pants, medium shirts and size 5 shoes. The oldest girl wears a size 7 pant, 7-8 shirt and size 2 shoe.
The youngest boy wears a size 3T and size 9 shoe while his twin sister is a size 4T and wears a size 12 shoe.
Along with clothing and shoes, age-appropriate toys are also being accepted.
Donations can be dropped off at Blevins’ home in Morgantown at 350 Morton St.
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