The 24 residents of the Bishop Plaza Apartments, who lost their homes and belongings in last week’s fire, have received overwhelming assistance in donations from the community and surrounding areas, reflecting the Christmas spirit.

“We have received plenty of clothing, however we are still asking for housewares, such as dishes and towels,” Lisa Hicks, apartment property manager said.

Hicks and her daughter were among those who lost their apartments in the fire as well as all of their belongings and Christmas gifts.

“It has been difficult, but the help has been overwhelming,” she said.

The Bishop Band Boosters and students organized an event last Thursday evening at Bishop High School where Bishop residents rallied together and brought clothing, appliances, furniture, and toys for their neighbors. There were also baked goods and raffle items on sale which benefited the residents.

People had come from all over the surrounding area to show their support.

“We have had a steady stream of donations still coming in as well as families going in and choosing items that are of use to them,” Dr. Eden Hernandez, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for Bishop CISD said.

According to Bishop Mayor Victor Ramos, on Monday the fire chief of Ben Bolt dressed as Santa Claus and visited the children who were victims of the fire and handed out candy and toys for Christmas.

“The citizens came through and have showed amazing support,” Ramos said.

“It has been a great community effort.”

The First Baptist Church in Bishop has been collecting items and donations and has been distributing them to the residents and community as a whole.

“We have received a surplus of clothing and are now donating it to needy families in the community as well as the fire victims,” Rev. Cliff Abshier said.

“The South Texas Children’s Home brought a box of children’s toys for each of the children, which was age and gender appropriate and wrapping paper for the parents to wrap the gifts with and also a box of groceries for the families,” he said.

Abshier stated that approximately $1,500 in donations had been donated to each family and they are still in need of furniture and household items as they are getting into temporary apartments.

“People from Mathis came in and donated items and Monday a couple from Portland brought furniture so it really has been an outpouring of support from other towns as well,” Abshier said.

According to Sherry Bowers, American Red Cross Coastal Bend Chapter Development and Communications Director, the organization has donated $6,800 to the Bishop fire victims, and Red Cross typically attempts to provide a variety of goods and services, ranging from clothing and toiletries to counseling and medications.

“Just this month we have assisted 46 people in relations to fire which includes a December 13 trailer fire in Kingsville and a December 18 fire in Rockport totaling to $10,391. Our donations are down 55 percent this year and we are asking for any donations the community is willing to give,” Bowers said.

If you would like to donate to the nine families affected by the Bishop fire call the Red Cross at 361-887-9991 and designate donations to the victims of the Bishop Plaza Apartments fire. Monetary donations can also be made online at www.cbtredcross.org or checks can be mailed to P.O.Box 3429, Corpus Christi, TX 78463.