It was an evening typical for many high-school athletes.
After arriving home from South Kitsap’s swim meet at Stadium, senior Alexandra Flamion put her belongings away in her bedroom — and then thought about dinner.
That’s when everything changed.
“I went to go back to the pantry to get toast,” Flamion said. “I noticed that there were flames in my brother’s room.”
The nearly 2,300-foot rambler the family was renting on Southeast Spring Creek Road suffered severe damage from the electrical fire, and they were forced to move out.
“The living room was covered in black and the rest of the house was kind of spooky looking,” Flamion said.
She said her family is grateful of the support it has received. Red Cross placed them in a hotel within hours of the fire, and Flamion said several of her father’s colleagues at Naval Base Kitsap also volunteered to wash dishes. They recently rented a house near the site where a new high school was proposed.
But the Flamions still lacked many household necessities, and that is where South swim coach Cliff Rousell and his boys and girls teams became involved. With the assistance of several volunteers, Rousell hosted a swim-and-dive marathon Saturday at the high school to benefit the Flamions.
“It was clear to me that the team wanted to do something to help the family,” he said. “I want to let them know they are not alone in this battle to get back on their feet.”
Rousell said clothing, furniture, electronics and an oil change were donated before the marathon, but that people can still make contributions in the form of gift cards at South’s pool.
“One of the neat things that has come out of this tragedy is the richness of our community,” he said.
• South Kitsap School District will host Military Family Appeciation Night from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Marcus Whitman Junior High. All branches of the military, including active duty and veterans, are welcomed. There will be a free dinner from 5:30 to 6 p.m., social time, childcare, resource booths and more. Contact Patty Haver at 443-3560 for more information.
• Sidney Glen Elementary School hosts its Holiday Craft Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4. Vendor spaces are available for $25 for those who bring a table and $35 for a rental. There also will be entertainment and food. Contact Donna Daniels at 876-0301 for more information.
