45 Families Displaced In North Coventry Twp. Fire Remain In Need

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Generous help poured in to help 45 families left devastated when fire destroyed the Ashwood Apartments in North Coventry Township July 30. Now, Chester County has communicated what needs remain for the victims.

Furniture, financial assistance, and housing are still needed, according to Chester County's Department of Community Development, who provided an update today on the most urgent needs of the displaced families.

"The response to requests for donations to help the men, women and children who lived in Ashwood Apartments has been overwhelming, which is what we have truly come to expect and appreciate from our Chester County community" said Pat Bokovitz, Director of the Chester County Department of Community Development.

"We have filled our need for new and gently used clothing donations, but still welcome support with furniture donations, financial contributions and especially ask landlords to contact us about the families' housing needs," Bokovitz said on Friday.

Monetary donations to support the families are being collected by Pottstown-based community support non-profit TriCounty Community Network (TCN). Donations may be made online here.

Or, donations can be made by mailing a check to: TCN at 724 N. Adams Street, Pottstown Integrated Wellness Complex, Suite 203, Pottstown, PA 19464. TCN is in the process of establishing a committee to assist in the oversight and distribution of the donated funds.

Furniture donations should go to the Community Warehouse Project of Chester County. Details of the how to make donations can be found here or by calling 484-473-4360.

Landlords with properties to rent in the Pottstown tri-county area are asked to contact the Housing Authority of Chester County via e-mail at ashwoodapartments@haccnet.org or via phone at 610-235-4484.

Pastor Josh Park of Branch Life Church and NorCo Relief Center Coordinator said, "The Ashwood families would like to express their deep gratitude to the first responders, the NorCo firefighters, the many donation center volunteers and the community for the outpouring of support,
prayers and donations. It has been awesome to see our town unite in a spirit of generosity and love. Well done Pottstown!"

Community organizations that have been coordinating assistance for those displaced by the Ashwood Apartments fire include the American Red Cross, NorCo Fire Company, Branch Life Church, Open Hearth Inc. and Orion Communities. Agencies that have gotten involved to provide the households with housing case management services include Friends Association, Handicrafters, Home of the Sparrow, the Housing Authority of Chester County, North Star and Salvation Army of Pottstown.