By SHERI GASSAWAY
Correspondent
UAW Local 2250’s Tim Kramer was just leaving after 16-hour shift at the Wentzville GM Assembly Plant Nov. 6 when she received a phone call from her 19-year-old daughter that the family’s St. Louis home was on fire.
Aria Dorsey told her mom that she got her 11-year old sister Amaya Dorsey and the family dog out of the house and called 911. By the Kramer arrived, the first floor of the home was fully engulfed in flames and the fire was spreading through the walls on the second floor.
GRATEFUL THEY GOT OUT
“I’m just grateful that my daughters got out, and that they did everything they were taught to do in the past in case there was a fire,” Kramer said. “The fire completely destroyed the house, and it will have to be rebuilt.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, said Kramer, who is living with a friend. The insurance adjuster visited the home and estimated structural damage to be around $120,000. Kramer has hired a contractor who expects the home to be rebuilt by next summer
‘PRAY FOR THEM EVERY DAY’
“It’s really sad,” said Shawn Jennings Kohrs-Davis, Local 2250 vice president. “I’m so thankful she and her family are safe after the fire and pray for them every day. Tina is very active with the union and other organizations in the community.”
Kramer, a single mom who’s described as a hard worker, is chair of the Local 2250 Human and Civil Rights Committee and an active member of the St. Louis Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW).
Missie Mitchell, co-chair of the Local 2250 Community Service Committee, contacted Kramer after the fire to see how it could help the family. Mitchell shared a list of clothing and other essential items the family needed and UAW Local 2250 members – as always – came through in a big way.
‘APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT’
Members visited the Local 2250 union hall last week to drop off gift cards and to make cash donations. Others contacted Mitchell to drop of items at a storage locker the committee rented.
“I sincerely appreciate the support we’ve received from our members and the community,” Mitchell said. “They always come through when there’s a need. We just had a situation two weeks ago where another member was displaced after a fire.”
YOU CAN HELP
Mitchell said gift cards and monetary donations may be dropped off or mailed to UAW Local 2250, C/O Missie Mitchell, 1395 E. Pearce Blvd., Wentzville, MO 63385. Or donations may be made to Justina Kramer through CashApp at $sweett314.
While the family has received most of what they need for now in terms of clothing and other necessities, Mitchell said they will eventually need general household items when they move into their new home. To donate household items, contact Mitchell at 636-358-0757.
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