Business owner thankful for communities' outreach after fire

To the Editor:

It seems I'm terribly slow at getting this letter out to thank everyone who helped me during and after the loss of my store, Fran's Varietyland.

I have been very busy with cleanup of the store, trying to find a new location I can afford, cutting rags to sell and just getting myself reorganized again.

Friends stop me every day to inquire whether I will start a new store or not. All I can say is that I have been trying to find a location that I can afford to get started in again, without success. I'm still cutting rags at my home and selling helium balloons, as the firemen saved my helium tank. With donations I received from the benefit that was held for me, and the account that was set up at First National Bank, I will be purchasing a computer and digital camera and hopefully learn to sell on the internet or eBay. I probably will be taking classes for training.

I still would appreciate donations of clothing for rags. I will also be having rummage sales intermittently this year, so I will keep busy.

I will still try to organize the "Give A Helping Hand Christmas Program," but at this time I need a location for the tree. Anyone interested in helping, please contact me at my home.

There are no words big enough to express my sincere appreciation for so many friends in the Troy and Libby areas who have helped me out in so many ways throughout the years.

I'd like to give a special thank you to the Troy firemen for their dedication and efforts to keep the fire away from the house next to my store. You did an outstanding job.

Thank you to my family for the wonderful benefit and to everyone who contributed time or donations to help.

Again, thank you all for making Troy and Libby a wonderful area to live in.

Fran Stanton