News : Fundraisers established for the Meyer Family following fire that destroys home

The Meyer family of Shellsburg has lost everything in the fire that completely destroyed their home in Shellburg at about 4:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Six family members lived in the home, including a mother, and her two sons, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. The mother and daughter-in-law were taken to the hospital following the incident. The daughter-in-law had to jump from a second-story window to escape the flames and injured her back in the fall which required surgery from that injury, she also suffered some burns.

The Canton-Benton-Shellburg Fire Department, Palo Fire Department, Atkins Fire & First Responders, Hiawatha Fire Department, St. Luke's LifeGuard Air Ambulance, Air Car Air Ambulance, and Schminke Equipment all assisted to gain control of the fire and assist the family.

The Shellsburg American Legion Post 166 serves a freewill breakfast every Saturday morning in at the Legion in Shellsburg. So along with the Shellsburg Fire Auxiliary they offered breakfast free to all of the firefighters who came to extinguish the fire. The Legion also extended a "thank you to the firefighters for donating their time and energy to support our communities."

The Meyer family was unable to maintain house insurance because of the economy, so a fundraiser has been set up through GoFundMe. The funds will go toward helping the family replace everything. Right now there is no place to collect physical donations, so a monetary gift would be best. To donate to the GoFundMe page, click HERE.

A fund has also been established for the Meyer family at the Palo Savings Bank. Donations can be sent or dropped off at the Palo Savings Bank at 2801 Hollenbeck Road, Palo Iowa 52324. Please be sure to note that it is for the Chase Meyer House Fund.