Community pulls together for Moses Lake family

MOSES LAKE - Community support is starting to pour in for a Moses Lake family who lost their home to a fire this week, and the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce has set up an account to make it easier for fellow community members to help the family.

Homeowners Chuck Jr. and Sara Yarbo were recently displaced by a house fire, and chamber Executive Director Debbie Doran-Martinez said the organization just wanted to find a way to help the Yarbo family.

"The family is all safe and together for the holidays, with their immediate housing needs having been met," said Doran-Martinez in a recent e-mail to the business community. "However, the home was a total loss."

Doran-Martinez said the family will spend the next few months starting over.

Fire officials said they suspected electrical issues as the cause of the fire, according to a Dec. 20 Columbia Basin Herald article. The front entryway of the house was destroyed, and the rest of the home suffered heavy smoke damage.

No one was home at the time of the fire, but two dogs were killed in the incident.

Doran-Martinez said the Yarbo family has done a lot for the Moses Lake community, which is why the chamber wanted to provide a way for the community to help out.

"Chuck Jr. grew up in this community and he and his family have always been the first ones to step up and assist others in need," she said.

Doran-Martinez said the family expressed appreciation to the community for their support and prayers during this time.

Donations can be made directly at the Washington Trust Bank's Moses Lake branch located at 402 S. Ash St., under the "Yarbo Donation Account."

The Chamber of Commerce will also have a link on their web page, www.moseslake.com, for community members to make a donation online via PayPal, said Doran-Martinez.

Pack's Delivery has also offered to deliver donations of items to the family at no cost. For pick up in the Moses Lake area, call Pack's Delivery at 509-762-1234.