Autumn Oaks fire brings community together

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The devastating fire at Autumn Oaks Apartments earlier this week destroyed everything for several families in Vicksburg. But the big story is how the community came together to embrace these families.

Within hours of the fire starting, the Red Cross showed up to help the families with their immediate needs of food and shelter. Then the online community jumped into action with several groups working to collect items for the young families while the flames were still burning at the complex. Within a day, most of the collection locations were full, and people were asked to take things to another location.

Vicksburg does this all the time. When the ice storm hit earlier this year, neighbors helping neighbors was the norm. Anyone with a chainsaw was out clearing branches from the roadway and checking on their neighbor. When the world shut down because of COVID-19, children were fed, and the elderly were checked on. When the backwater flood hit in 2019, teams of people came together to place sandbags and help protect their neighbors. The most vulnerable were taken care of and checked on often.

When the Great Flood of 2011 hit, countless acts of kindness became the norm. Teams of community members made sure those in harm’s way were protected. Vicksburg has a long history of helping its neighbors and looking out for its own after a disaster. The fire at Autumn Oaks is no different. A community of good people, with good hearts, took care of their neighbors in need.

Once again, Vicksburg proved we are a community of good people who love our neighbors and protect the afflicted in their pain. We will do it the next time too. Pat yourself on the back, Vicksburg, you’ve earned it yet again.