Troy family loses home to fire
December 23, 2017
Sierra and Jordan both wonder if Santa will be able to find them in time for Christmas.
A family is homeless tonight after losing their house and all it held this afternoon to fire about four miles west of Troy. While grandma and mom wonder about all the essentials, Sierra, 13, and Jordan, 5, wonder if Santa Claus will be able to  find them now.

Lynn Holman, her daughter Tawnya Eby, and her daughters already mentioned, are spending the night with friends. Clothes, furniture, household goods, the family's three dogs were all lost in the fire at around 3 p.m.

"It took everything," Tawnya said. "But what hurts the most is the girls wondering if they'll have Christmas."

For those with extra you can spare, Lynn wears extra large shirts, size 40 men's pants and size 5 to 7 men's or size 5 to 8 women's shoes. Tawnya wears a size 4x clothing and men's size 9 shoes.

Sierra wears size 14 clothes and a size 7 women's shoe, and Jordan wears size 6 clothes and size 9 toddler shoes.

Reporter's note: I have never in my life bought women's or children's clothes on my own -- if the sizes I gave make no sense, there is a number below.

Warm clothing, to include socks, gloves, hats and boots, are needed, along with items that will help them re-establish housekeeping.

Those who would like to learn the family's specific needs can call Tanya at (406) 291-5358. Those with items to donate to the family can drop them off at Troy Dispatch, E301 Kootenai Avenue in downtown Troy.

As if he hasn't been busy enough of late, South Boundary Fire Chief Tony Rohrwasser has opened Station 1 in Naples as a Boundary County drop off.

He's usually only there on weekdays, but he has graciously offered to come in if people have donations to drop off, and Boundary County Sheriff Dispatch Supervisor Crystal Denton, who lives in Troy, will get donations to the family.

To reach Tony, call (208) 290-2613.

As I live on Crystal's way home at 119 Autumn Lane in Moyie Springs, just across Highway 2 from North Division, the south end of the first house you come to after taking the first right off Maas Loop, I can accept donations here as well.

An terribly ugly brown Chevy van sits in my drive ... my door is under the overhead porch at the south end directly in front of the van. The side door of the van stays unlocked. If the van's not here, I'm not either, but I don't get out all that much.

If you want to let me know you're coming, message me on the NewsBF Facebook page, email mikeweland@gmail.com or call (208) 295-1016.

A GoFundMe account is also established.