Update: There are more ways to help Ellie Evans. On August 7th from 11am-3pm, several of Ellie's friends will be hosting a basket auction at the Pheiffer Ice Dam.  There will be a bake sale and luncheon at this auction.  

An account has also been set up for her. Checks can be sent to Mauch Chunk Trust Co. - Evans Fire Fund PO Box 289 Jim Thorpe, PA 18229.

The GoFundMe account can be accessed at https://www.gofundme.com/2es4zb8t.

Friends say that Ellie Evans is known for putting the needs of others ahead of her own.

Now they are rallying to help her after she lost her husband and literally all of her belongings in a recent house fire.

“She’s just the kind of person who’s a good friend to everyone,” Jessica Scott, a former neighbor, said. “I know her friendship has meant so much to my mom.”

Scott and her mother, Vanessa, are leading a drive to raise money for Evans. It was last Friday evening when Evans’ husband, William, died as a result of a house fire that destroyed their home and all their belongings.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by state police.

At the time of the fire, Evans was in Florida with Vanessa Scott. The two women are close friends. Jessica Scott said the fact that it happened while they were away made it even more sad because the two women rarely go on vacation. She said they are generally more focused on the well-being of others than on their own.

“They are both people who are very giving,” Jessica Scott said. “I can attest to the fact that they never do anything for themselves.”

She recalled how Ellie helped her mother when she was recently treated for pancreatic cancer.

“Ellie’s been there for my mom through everything,”Scott said.

Even though she lives in New York,Scott was inspired to start an online fundraiser for Evans. So far, the GoFundMe page has raised more than $1,000 and been shared more than 400 times.

“Many people have reached out just in shock and sadness that this happened,” she said. “It’s been really awesome to see everyone come together.”