VIDEO: No one wants to think about losing their home to a fire, but one local nonprofit is preparing for families who face that reality. Ellie’s Boxes of Hope has partnered with fire stations across the Bay and surrounding counties, and most recently, teamed up with Panama City. The group puts together care packages for families whose homes have been damaged or destroyed. These boxes are filled with toiletries, underclothes, baby wipes, pet food, and even games for kids and families.
Organizers tell us the idea came after a close friend’s home was damaged by a fire. “We had a good family friend who had a house fire and we realized the need they had,” said Alexis Winslow, the Founder of Ellie’s Boxes of Hope. “There was a lack of time from when the firefighters left to when they were getting service. So we wanted them to have something immediately that they need. She said she never cried in the toothbrush aisle at Walmart, before because she didn’t have a toothbrush. So that was something we wanted to provide for them.” Ellie’s Boxes of Hope has delivered 26 boxes to the Panama City Fire Department, bringing their total to 75 across the panhandle.
