Community Gathers to Help Displaced Fire Victim

Last Thursday was just another day at work for Lt. Kathy Etheridge until she recieved a call from her husband who told her their home was on fire. By the time she reached the house, everything was burned to the ground including a family car.

"She was basically left with the uniform on her back," Maj. Chad Hunton said, her supervisor at the where Etheridge has worked since 1997. Etheridge and her husband are currently living with one of their grown sons.

Hunton said the department immediately ordered new uniforms and her fellow employees have already raised about $1,000 in cash. "People have been coming from all over the place to help out," he said. "People have donated furniture and clothes. Someone in town has even volunteered to store the items until she's ready for them."

In addition to the bit of help that has been provided by her fellow employees, the community is invited to a benefit dinner, which will be held at the Paulding Senior Center on Feb. 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The dinner will be catered by Jim 'N Nicks Bar-B-Q. Suggested donations are $15 for adults and $10 for children (The flyer is attached.) For details, call Jim McMichen at 678-653-1546.

"She's been overwhelmed," Hunton said. "She has so much appreciation and gratitude. She thinks others are worse off than her but she is touched."