MONROE — The community’s outpouring of support is helping a family that lost their home in a fire last month to keep standing strong.
“I don’t know how I’m going to thank everyone,” Rachel Leggett said Friday, July 9. Her family of five lost the home they were renting off of Old Snohomish-Monroe Road in a quick-moving fire June 21. Part of the family is still living out of a hotel.
Craig and Lisa Robertson, who own the 911 Driving School, set up a car wash June 26 that raised $5,800. Cars streamed in for it.
Clint Bublitz, head of the football booster club, opened an online fundraiser that so far has raised over $5,900.
A firefighter who heard of the blaze offered space to park a travel trailer. Part of the family has moved from the hotel into the trailer.
The Leggetts hold great amounts of gratitude.
Their twin sons, Evan and Ian Leggett, are active: Evan is the Monroe High football quarterback and Ian is a member of the J-ROTC student military group. Evan Leggett shook the hand of every person who donated at the car wash, Robertson said.
The old house that caught fire was hand-built by the property owner. Leggett said it lacked insulation, which let fire sweep through air in the walls. It’s not clear how the fire started, and fire marshals are continuing to investigate. Leggett said it began on the front porch in the eaves.
Her husband and son Ian got out. Two cats survived, but their dog did not. “She was the best dog,” Leggett said. “She was my best friend.”
Leggett said the football team is close, but the kindness reached well beyond just the football team families.
“This is one reason I love the town of Monroe — this is not the first time the community has come together,” Bublitz said.
The Leggett family still seek a local rental to move into.
