Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
Manager Dianne St. Amour at the AmericInn knew immediately that her facility would be needed as flames danced into the night sky over Calumet late Friday night. She got in contact with Pigs-N-Heat and the American Red Cross to work out lodging arrangements for those living at the affected buildings.
The first family to find refuge at the AmericInn came in just hours after the blaze started.
St. Amour says the AmericInn has already shifted collections for needed amenities and clothing completely to the Salvation Army’s Hancock location. It can guarantee that it will have room for two weeks for those now living there temporarily, but eventually summer tourism will kick into full gear, bringing full occupancy.
Director Peter Mackin says the Hancock Bread of Life Center at 408 Ravine Street is bustling with activity. He was in Calumet for a television appearance Monday morning and came back to an entranceway filled with donations.
Mackin says there are 37 people being supported due to the fire. A full list of their needs is here. Roughly half at the AmericInn and the others are spread out with friends and family, some as far away as Marquette. Checks and cash donations are currently being accepted at the center, with the request that Calumet fire be written on the memo line to ensure all funds are properly directed.
Mackin says he had to wait until late Monday to get an online portal set up dedicated solely to the Calumet fire.
The link to that is here. The Salvation Army service center is looking for volunteers to help in the aftermath of the fire. Mackin says former nurses, social workers, and law enforcement would get up to speed the fastest. The role includes interacting with victims to determine their immediate needs, material, physical, and mental, and handling the bureaucratic demands that come with ensuring money is getting to where it is most required.
