Effort Underway to Help Victims of Camden Apartments Fire

The Lake Saint Louis Police Officers Association is partnering with the management of to assist sixteen families who lost everything in the . Eight families were relocated within the complex. The remainder sought refuge with families and friends.

“These families have nothing. They’re starting over from scratch,” observed Jeff Thompson, a spokesperson for the police group. “We want to help the people at the Camden office give them a hand. We think once the generous people in our community know these families are in need, they will come through for them.”

Donations of household goods, clothing and personal items are being accepted at the Camden Lakes Welcome Center. Especially needed are:

• Bed linens and blankets (all sizes)
• Pillows, bath towels and washcloths
• Adult men’s and women’s clothing
• Clothing for an 8-year old boy and a 12-year old girl
• Shoes and socks
• Paper goods (including toilet paper towels)
• Personal hygiene products (soap, deodorant, tooth brushes, toothpaste, brushes, combs, shampoo and other hair care products, shaving cream and razors)
• Dishes and silverware, cooking utensils
• Furniture
• Non-perishable food items

Items can be dropped off at the Camden Cedar Lakes Welcome Center, located at 36 Cedar Circle Drive, during regular office hours Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

In May of 2011 the Lake Saint Louis Police Officers Association launched a similar effort to assist Joplin tornado victims after that horrific event. Now they are asking support of the community to help local victims of a similarly devastating event.