News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Crossville L.B.J.& C Head Start accepting donations for four children who lost their family in a house fire Monday.
A five-year-old boy and three girls ages seven, nine and 12 lost their parents, a set of grandparents and two siblings. The surviving children were visiting other family members when the house burnt down.
Director Penny Meadows said clothing, school supplies and monetary donations for funeral expenses are needed.
“The McCoy family has been a part of our head start program for many years,” Meadows said. “We just believe that head start is a family. Our motto is it takes a village to raise a child. No matter what we want to make efforts to help.”
Meadows said the Crossville location will be open Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to take your donations. Meadows said the main office in Cookeville will also be open for donations during regular business hours.
“The Upper Cumberland area is known for taking care of its own,” Meadows said. “Think about when we had the tornado that happened in Cookeville. That’s just who we are in the Upper Cumberland area. I think it makes us feel like we are doing our part, so we try to open the opportunity. When you can help other people, that is what’s valauble.”
Meadows said the two children that died in the fire were currently attending the Crossville Head Start.
“I can’t imagine what these children and the McCoy family are going through right now,” Meadows said. “We have to try to be as supportive as possible.”
The clothing sizes of the children are as followed: boy age 5 size 5/6 shoe size 13, girl age 7 size 8/10 shoe size 1, girl age 9 size 12/14 shoe size 3 and girl age 12 size 14/16 shoe size 5. The children lost all of their Christmas presents in the fire, so a list of gifts will be released later.
“We will make sure all donations get delivered to the family on the day the donations come in,” Meadows said. “Thank you in advance for all your help and for supporting this family.”
