GO FUND ME

Update -- Market Flats fire: Local people are chipping in to support those who lost nearly everything on Wednesday

GoFundMe campaigns have attracted more than $80,000 in pledges; United Way also helping

Posted

[First published Dec. 16, 2021.]

The three-alarm fire that destroyed the five-story Market Flats apartment building under construction also destroyed three other buildings and damaged at least one more, according to the Olympia Fire Department. 

Those other buildings contained an apartment and at least 10 businesses.  Some of them have established campaigns on the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform. Here are the first available to The JOLT.  A representative of the company verified that these are legitimate accounts and offered this additional explanation:

"Funds are collected by our payment processors, held, and then released only to the person named as the recipient. Before funds are transferred, their personal information, including ID and banking information, must be verified. If any questions arise, our team will hold the funds until the recipient is verified to our satisfaction."

Here are accounts related to the Dec. 15 fire:  

Help Community Print Recover From Horrific Fire

"Though [the] walls are still standing, we were drenched by fire hoses for 6+ hours in an effort to keep the fire from spreading. We have not been allowed access to the building due to “eminent danger”, but the best case scenario is still crippling.

Pete Lea Automotive Medical Center Fire Fund

Peter Lea, Jr. started this business way back when VWs had no radiators. His son, Pete Lee III took over  sometime before the turn of the century, and now Pete Lea IV was getting ready to run the place.  Their business was destroyed by the fire.  

Help Revival Motors and Coffee Co.

The combination espresso cafe and motorcycle repair shop quickly became an anchor business for the neighborhood. Read their story, in the co-owner's words, using the headline link above. 

Devon Woollett Loses Everything in WA Fire 

Devon and his son and daughter lived in the apartment upstairs from Revival Motors & Coffee.

Fire relief for Tori's Golden Hour Tattoo

Tori opened Golden Hour Tattoo in November 2020. It's upstairs from Revival Motors & Coffee, where she worked part-time. The fire destroyed both of her sources of income. 

Help Allison Stewart from SA VOIX

Single-mom and owner Allison Stewart says her insurance company isn't going to pay a single penny to help her recover from the loss of her salon. 

Whitney @ Sa Voix Salon 

Whitney worked at the salon. She set up this GoFundMe campaign to help her to "for immediate expenses, supplies, color, clips, and the many little things needed to do beautiful hair. "

United Way Emergency Assistance Fund 

“United Way mobilizes the caring power of the community to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in Thurston County,” said Chris Wells, Executive Director of United Way of Thurston County. “We will be coordinating and working in partnership with City of Olympia leadership to identify unmet needs and provide rapid financial assistance to meet those needs.”

 

Note: We will update this story as we learn about new GoFundMe campaigns.

This story was updated Fri., Dec. 17 at 6:20 p.m. and 6:55 p.m.

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  • PCBigLife

    Thanks, Danny, for putting the go GoFundMe information out. And thanks for your donations as well. I appreciate your sense of community.

    Friday, December 17, 2021 Report this