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Funds raised for Regal fire victims through BBQ sale


Bags of BBQ meals were placed for pick up outside of the Beni Kedem Temple on Friday for a Regal apartment fire fundraiser. (WCHS)
Bags of BBQ meals were placed for pick up outside of the Beni Kedem Temple on Friday for a Regal apartment fire fundraiser. (WCHS)
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Friday, law enforcement organizations in Charleston came together to raise money for those displaced by the Regal Apartment fire last week.

The Charleston Police Department, the Charleston Citizen Police Academy and the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association got together for a BBQ fundraiser at the Beni Kedem Temple in Charleston.

Charleston Police Lt. David Payne helped organize the event.

“This is our way of really just showing the residents over there that we care about them and we’re here to support them," Payne said.

The money raised by the meals sold will go to the United Way to continue helping the 35 people who lost everything.

“We’re glad to do it and if we can arrange it, we do it. We can move some things around and make it happen," Jack Boyd, the recorder for the Beni Kedem Temple said.

There was a steady line throughout the day as volunteers from the Carver Beauty Academy worked to prepare and bag the meals.

“ I mean why wouldn’t you?" Carver student Dany Frye asked. "I feel like they went though such devastating events and in times like that, that’s when you need to lean on someone.”

Now is when the victims need the most support. United Way and Red Cross told Eyewitness News six families have found permanent housing. The organizations report these families did not wish to continue renting with Patriot Services Group who owned the Regal Apartments. The others are still at Best Western waiting for the property managers to arrange housing.

The efforts now turn to relocation and settling in. All of Friday's fundraising will go toward just that.

“‘My heart goes out to the people that went through that and had to lose," Frye said. "I hope that things will be brighter for them for sure."

Donations are still being accepted at Mountain Mission in Charleston. United Way says they have been overwhelmed by clothing donations and fire victims are in need of furniture and household items. Monetary donations are also accepted by the organizations.

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