CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Kristen Winters was at work on June 26 when a fire broke out at Cumberland Chateau Apartments. It engulfed her home, destroying items she’ll never be able to replace.
“I lost everything,” Winters said. “My father passed away in 2015, and I lost what was left of his belongings.”
A few days after the fire, they were able to recover her father’s ashes, which Winters said is what mattered most to her.
Winters wasn’t the only one. Eight families were displaced by the fire. A local veteran is has now jumped in to help them.
Andrew Potter, a veteran of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, has opened a GoFundMe for the families.
“We always try to give back to the community,” Potter said. “You don’t have to have a personal connection with others to help them.”
Potter also streams on Twitch and is using his platform to raise funds as well.
“Any money through subs, bits or donations that I personally make during my streams the entire month of July I will be donating as well.”
At least 18 people were displaced by the fire. Among them are six children, some of them toddlers, according to William Enterkin, the property manager. Enterkin told Clarksville Now some of the tenants were like family.
“We try to help them as much as possible with whatever they need,” he said.
Enterkin has been managing the apartments for six years and has been reaching out to churches and crisis organizations to help the families, but he’s hoping for faster relief.
“We still have four residents that are in hotel rooms, and the Red Cross money is running out, so I’m hoping the GoFundMe will take off.”
The GoFundMe has $270 in it as of Tuesday, with a goal of $20,000.