Carson school employees and area philanthropists are sponsoring a yard sale and auction to help a family that lost a loved one and a home in a Dayton fire in June.
Dale and Ruth Wade, both Carson City school district employees, have been living with relatives since their River Road mobile home burned to the ground. The fire, which killed Ruth's sister Faith Bills, 62, was blamed on bad wiring in a ceiling fan.
Bills' body was found near the from door. A construction worker called 911 when he saw flames shooting from the window. Neighbors attempted to make entry into the home, but were too late.
The yard sale, slated for Sept. 9 at the transportation grounds behind Carson High School, will feature donated merchandise as will an auction on Sept. 16 at Fuji Park. Organizers have seen an overwhelming response by interested community members, said Mike Mitchell, the district's director of operations.
"We've sent out a lot of brochures asking people if they can give a little money or goods," he said. "So far we have things like Giants tickets and '49ers tickets. We have somebody who has access to a condo in Hawaii and they are giving away a week there."
The live auction will run from noon to 4 p.m., with other events starting at 10 a.m. Additional activities include a raffle, a kids' area, a pitching machine and a dunk tank.
Monetary donations have also started pouring into district offices.
"We have received business donations and certificates for Dale and Ruth to go purchase things," Mitchell said. "Donated merchandise will be stored until they have the opportunity to get settled in a new home.
"They have found a place in Dayton but they do not have things like furniture or silverware, the necessities."
The mobile home, built in the 1960s during a time of less-stringent building codes, burned to the ground.
"The old metal homes with metal siding act like a chimney and an oven," fire investigator Mary Ellen Holly said after the fire. "It started in the back and within seconds it spread to the front. By the time we got there it was a total loss."
Dale has worked in the custodial department, most recently at Fritsch Elementary School, for more than eight years and Ruth has worked as a bus driver for 11 years.
Carson City resident Ron Weddell donated money to the family the day of the fire to arrange temporary accommodations.
Details on donations and benefit events, call the district office at 885-6314.
What: Benefit yard sale
When: Aug. 9
Where: Carson High