For the Reporter

Following an overwhelming outpouring of donations for the victims of the Heritage Fire, the City of Auburn has cancelled a second furniture collection day.

A three-alarm fire on Dec. 26 at the historic Heritage Building in downtown Auburn left more than 40 residents of the upstairs apartment complex displaced.

The Red Cross sheltered the victims at the nearby Cascade Middle School during the following days and efforts began throughout the city and region to gather donations of food, clothing, money and furniture to help the residents in their recovery.

Last Saturday, volunteers gathered at Northwest Family Church to sort through thousands of pounds of clothing and small household goods that had been received. Furniture donation were also accepted throughout the day at the City’s Game Farm Park complex.

“Our community comes together like no other in times of need,” said Mayor Nancy Backus at last Saturday’s event.

By New Year’s Day, donations of clothing,household goods and furniture for the fire victims had filled the church gymnasium and park annex building beyond capacity.

“We want to thank all those that helped by donating needed clothing, furniture, food and money to help the fire victims. It’s one of the reasons this is such a good city to live in,” said City of Auburn Emergency Management Manager Jerry Thorson. “Due to the overwhelming generosity and the amount of donations to help the victims of the Heritage Building Fire, we will not be collecting furniture on Saturday, Jan. 6, as previously planned, as we currently have more than enough donations on-hand to outfit our displaced residents,”

Donations of ready-to-eat or microwavable meals and money are still being accepted at the Auburn Food Bank, 930 18th Place NE, to assist the residents as they transition into new housing.