HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (WJAC) -- Two families with a total of three students who attend Frankstown Elementary School had their homes destroyed in a fire last Friday.
Officials said the blaze started on the third floor of building 4A in the Country Club Terrace apartments. Last week, Geeseytown Fire Chief Denny Walls told 6 News all 12 units in the building were unlivable.
On Monday, Frankstown Elementary School Principal Bill Madden confirmed two families with students in his school lost their homes. He sent out an email asking for donations to benefit the students.
Madden said word spread quickly through social media and soon the donations started pouring in. He said by Friday afternoon, the Hollidaysburg Area School District and the community came together to donate several thousand dollars’ worth of items to the kids, including clothing, toys and gift cards.
“Monday afternoon, my email went out, and then Friday afternoon and a short turnaround, we have so many things collected and donated,” Madden said. “It’s really been a wonderful turnaround in such a short time. It's shone some positive light on a terrible situation.”
Madden delivered the donations to the two families Friday afternoon.
He said he's blown away by the support from around the Hollidaysburg area.
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