By Elisabeth Strillacci

KANNAPOLIS — Firefighters are the ones the public counts on to help keep them safe from fires and to save homes and belongings as well, but once in a while, it is a firefighter who needs the public’s help.

Captain Blake Overcash of the Kannapolis Fire Department and his wife, Madeline and their two daughters were out of town March 21 when their home of 14 years caught fire and suffered major damage. Fortunately the family members are all safe, but they have lost everything.

A number of organizations have posted on Facebook calling for help for the family, with lists of specific items that will help.

“This is a great family in a tragic situation,” Kannapolis Fire Chief Tracy Winecoff wrote. “Blake Overcash is a captain with Kannapolis fire and had also been a longtime volunteer firefighter in Rowan County, He has committed his life to help strangers, so I hope you will consider helping them if you are able.”

Donations of essential items can be dropped off at the Cabarrus County EMS headquarters, the Atwell Fire Department or the Enochville Fire Department.

Items requested have been broken down into needs for the children and both parents. The girls, ages four and six, need clothing sizes youth extra small and small, pants/shorts in sizes 5T and Kids 6, and shoes sizes 10 and 13. They also love any “girly” toys according to their dad. Blake needs pants size 34/32, shirts in large, and shoes size 9.5-10. Madeline needs T-shirts size large, athletic pants or shorts, and shoes women size 11.

The family has asked that there not be any food donations or food trains at this time because they have limited storage for fresh food, but gift cards are welcome. A GoFundMe has also been set up GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/6a427550

Donations will go toward immediate needs of food, clothing and temporary housing and long-term needs of securing a place to live while the family rebuilds their life.

In his own post, Overcash expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support that has begun.

“First off we would like to thank everyone for the support thus far,” he posted. “The assistance and outreach that we have received have been very emotional but also needed and wanted. We truly can’t thank people enough for what they have done for us. We are very lucky and blessed with how our scenario played out. Madeline and I are fortunate to have such widespread family and friends. We are currently staying with family and still deciding on where we go from here and what this looks like in a couple months. We have tried our best to filter through all the calls, texts, and if we have missed someone along the way then know that it wasn’t personal and we apologize. Words truly can’t express our gratitude to everyone willing to help. We do have a long road ahead of us with rebuilding our house but we are confident that we will prevail.”

He explained that the family received a phone call early last Tuesday morning while the family was out camping.

“As unfortunate as it all is and heartbreaking, our daughters and dog were with us so no one was injured or impacted in that manner. We’re trying to make this hardship as easy as we can for our girls so they’re not too displaced,” Overcash added. He said anyone who was concerned about contributions making it to the family can reach out to make sure the place of donation is legitimate.

“People are making things happen and I know that there are a couple item drop locations if you can’t make it out to us,” he said. “We continue to have a positive outlook and are remaining strong for our girls. I’m positive that I have forgot something in this post but our minds are going in a thousand different directions. Thank you all again.”