Transition Town: Entire community offers aid to family that loses home due to fire

A week ago last Monday, unexpected disaster struck local Amish-man Perry Glick and his family at their farm outside Liberty Pole.

A small quantity of cardboard boxes in their wash house ignited and soon a raging fire spread into the adjoining produce washing shed before flames leaped over to a side porch of the farmhouse, into the kitchen, and headed to the rooms above.

Last week's Broadcaster chronicled the facts of the fire on a front page story noting the rapid and effective response of five local fire departments in getting to the scene and extinguishing the fire before it could do major damage to the rest of Perry's home. Fortunately, no one was hurt as family members beat a hasty retreat from the flames salvaging a majority of their household belongings and furniture.

Perry was not home at the time but arrived back in his buggy just as fire trucks raced past to his property. From those at the scene there was high praise for the speed and effectiveness of the firefighters who contained the fire and extinguished the flames before it could reach the main living quarters. Perry and his family were tired but thankful and relieved when the fire was out by early evening.

Then the power of local community kicked in.

That evening, a neighbor offered her farmhouse to the Glick family in their state of temporary homelessness. The next morning, the Amish community was up early and on the spot to support their bishop and began the clearing and rebuilding process. Soon friends and neighbors from the English community appeared to offer assistance in all ways possible. A neighboring contractor brought in heavy equipment and his son manned a skid steer, as they began clearing debris from the ruined outbuildings. Later, flatbed truckloads of materials began arriving stacked high with building materials ordered locally and delivered with English-speed. A steady stream of folks dropped in by car truck, van, and SUV bringing food, condolences and support to keep the work-flow moving. Many pitched in to help in anyway they could and the rebuilding process seemed to run itself as people both found and made jobs for themselves to be useful. Everyone the Glicks especially were touched and grateful for the support and efforts of the entire surrounding area joining with the Amish community in this moment of need.

Reconstruction continues (with typical Amish hard work and speed) and will no doubt be reaching completion soon possibly by the end of this week. By last Saturday, concrete block was up for the outbuildings while new walls, insulation, and interior drywall installation was near completion in the main farmhouse areas. A sense of normalcy finally seemed to be returning for the Glicks. In these uncertain times, we often feel that so much is shifting and changing that little is left that we can truly count on. But the power of local community neighbors helping neighbors in need as demonstrated here continues to be a living virtue integrated in to our rural heritage. It is truly a blessing and a comfort to see it alive and well among us.

If everyone does something, then no one person will have to do everything.

Mike Frank is a member of the Transition-Viroqua Steering Committee.

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Transition Town: Entire community offers aid to family that loses home due to fire