NEW CARLISLE — Donations are currently being accepted for a Springfield family that had to leave their home the day after Valentine’s Day.
>>PHOTOS: Local salon supporting Springfield family following house fire
News Center 7′s Taylor Robertson went to the salon at the 1200 block of W. National Road on Saturday where the mother works and learned how people can help.
When tragedy strikes, communities often find ways to rally around each other. That’s exactly what stylists at “Feels Like Home Salon” in New Carlisle did after one of their own lost her house to a fire.
Britney Salyer had been working as a nail tech at the salon for two years when an unexpected house fire left her scrambling to pick up the pieces.
Co-workers, friends and family immediately began finding ways to lend a helping hand.
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Robertson spoke to the owner of the salon, Brittany Fowler, who told News Center 7 that Salyer lost everything.
“So, she has to rebuild from scratch,” said Fowler. “It’s just devastating all around for everybody.”
Salyer was playing video games on Feb. 15 as her fiancé cooked dinner for their family when her 3-year-old son, Wayne, ran up to her and told her there was a fire.
“He says, ‘You know, Mommy, fire,’ Fowler told Robertson. “She looks out her bedroom window and there’s just flames, you know, coming out of the window.”
Springfield firefighters responded to the house on West North Street and managed to get the flames under control in less than 10 minutes.
No injuries were reported, according to their social media post.
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“So, (Salyer) she sent me a message,” said Fowler, “that her house just caught fire and we’re independent contractors so we don’t have paid time off.”
“I just wanted to do anything possible,” she continued.
She got a tremendous response.
“And opened up the doors here at ‘Feels Like Home Salon’ to allow donations to be brought here throughout the week for her to rebuild,” she told Robertson.
After Salyer and her family escaped the fire, all they had was the clothes on their backs. That’s why Fowler started collecting necessary items for them.
“Clothing is essential and also your daily necessities, your toiletries, you know deodorants and things like that,” she said.
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“But the bigger items we are asking them to hold on to until she is placed somewhere else because the rebuild will definitely take a while for her to get back in,” said Fowler.
She told Robertson she is grateful the community came together to support Salyer and her family.
Some of the donations being accepted include blankets, toys, clothing, shoes, furniture, etc.
Fowler said those items will not be turned away and donations can be picked up or dropped off.
The sizes include:
- Boys- 4T
- Boys- 16/18
- Women- Medium
- Men- Medium shirt, 30/32 or 30/34 pants
An online fundraiser has also been created to help the family.