Anyone who frequents the Eldred Township Thrift Store or the West End Food Pantry knows or has at least seen Gerri Clark and her bright pink hair volunteering her time to help others. Now Clark is in need of some help herself.

On Saturday afternoon Clark’s home for the last 35 years was lost to a devastating fire.

Clark, 77, lived alone with her two cats in the trailer on Long Mountain Road in Gilbert.

The trailer is a complete loss. One of Clark’s cats was confirmed to have died in the fire. The other is missing and it is hoped that it ran away from the inferno.

Polk Township Fire Chief Billy Tippett said that the fire began somewhere in the rear of the home, but that there was nothing suspicious about the fire and therefore there would be no investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Clark, who is currently staying with her granddaughter expressed her gratitude to the first responders who tried to save her home.

“I just want to say thank you to all of the firefighters and everyone that came to support me on one of the worst days of my life,” Clark said in a message through her friend Donna Deihl. “I will pull through thanks to the support of my family and all of my friends. I don’t know how I would do it without all of them.”

Deihl added that Clark has always been willing to help anyone in need and is frequently not only at the food pantry and the thrift store, but also helps at a second food pantry and sometimes visits Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Home to just sit and talk with the residents.

“Now Gerri is in need of some help,” Deihl said. “I have contacted some of my friends and they have been so kind as to send money directly to Gerri.”

Deihl said that the thrift store has helped Clark with clothing and the Red Cross has given her cash assistance and helped her to replace her prescriptions.

But Deihl is more concerned about Clark’s being able to live independently again.

“Her trailer was built in 1977 and on a fixed income it was cost prohibitive for Gerri to have insurance so there is not going to be any help there,” Deihl said. “Right now we need to find someone with a big heart who is willing to help demo the trailer and haul the salvage away and clear the lot in the hopes that she will be able to replace her home.”

“This is the season of giving and hopefully someone will see this and offer some help.”

Deihl said that she would be happy to coordinate any assistance for her friend and anyone interested in lending a hand or even a few dollars to help Clark can call Deihl at 570 620-5726.

Tippett, who was in charge at the scene said that Polk fire company was assisted by Kunkletown, West End and Blue Ridge volunteer fire companies. West End Ambulance was also on scene to render assistance.