Community continues to help family left homeless by fire before Christmas

The community continues to rally around a family of five whose home was destroyed by fire days before Christmas. The latest gesture of goodwill for Troy Johnson and his family was an eight-ball pool tournament and silent auction event at Mr. Lucky’s Bar & Billiards in Superior. The event held Saturday raised about $2,600 for the family.

“The level of support we’ve gotten from Mr. Lucky’s is above and beyond,” said Johnson, who plays in the bar’s Thursday pool league. He said some of the money will go toward a new bed for him and his wife.

The fire, started by a candle, caused an estimated $30,000 to the family’s home at 915 Winter St., five days before Christmas. The blaze destroyed their holiday gifts and left Johnson, his wife and their three children, ages 12, 14 and 17, homeless.

The Northland Chapter of the Red Cross put the family up in a hotel and served as a drop-off site for community donations of clothing and items. Johnson said many items were also provided by his wife’s employer, Essentia Health.

The family has since found a place to live and are doing well, Johnson said. The initial outpouring of giving included more than a dozen bags full of clothing. The family’s biggest needs right now are dressers to put the clothes in, money and gift certificates.

Monetary donations can be made to the “Johnson Family Benefit Account” at either branch of the Hermantown Federal Credit Union, 4477 LaVaque Road or 2516 London Road. To arrange a time to drop off items, call (218) 393-4571.

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