(LAST UPDATED 22 Apr 2025 - see bottom of post)

Laurel residents are very generous and thank you to the folks who have reached out looking for ways to offer a helping hand to those impacted by the fire at the Park Avenue apartments.

I was present on scene and have also connected with various members of our City team who are working to assist and provide support to the residents – some updates for you and ways to assist if you are moved to do so:

  • The City published a Press Release yesterday providing an official summary and actions underway.

  • The overall guidance is to ensure all help offered responds to the particular needs of the 12 households that were affected. For each household that will be different, and in the early phases a lot of effort is dedicated to understanding and getting a clear picture of the scenario for each household.

  • The City partners with Red Cross in emergency situations like this and was onsite and been in touch with each household and assigned someone to support them. Red Cross also provides debit spending card/ money and does check-in phone calls to help facilitate people through practicals of next steps. The City Emergency Management team has also been in touch with most of the households and provided contact information for questions/ resources as needed.

  • The Multiservice Center is available for a warm dinner at 6 p.m. each evening through partner FISH of Laurel; can help evaluate lodging needs; can provide clothing from its closet through partner Success in Style; can provide hygiene kits and blankets; as well as making available laundry services through 5 p.m. and showers through 6 p.m. (There have been impacted residents who have already visited the Center.)

  • Residents who want to donate in some way, the Multiservice Center is in need of new (un-used) undergarments and socks, as well as toiletries. But at this time there is no need for clothing. (Clothing, if desired, can be given to Success in Style headquartered in Savage Mill, who is the partner supporting the Multiservice Center clothing service.) And those wanting to donate food or volunteer may connect with partner FISH of Laurel as part of their existing program. I’ve learned some families have setup their own GoFundMe pages – this can be very helpful, but experts recommend doing some due diligence to ensure your donation truly gets to who needs it (as sadly unrelated bad players out there will setup fake accounts).

  • As the scenario unfolds, there may be more targeted ways to help – I’ll post any updates released here so you’ll have a place to reference.

Hopefully the above information is helpful to folks and thank you again Laurel for your big heart and helping hand to those in need in this challenging time.

UPDATE 22 Apr 2025:

  • I’ve learned that St. Mark’s United Methodist Church is holding a Vigil Service this evening (April 22) from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at their location at 601 8th Street. Donations of water, toiletries, non-perishable items, and/or gift cards are being accepted.