TC's Angel House seeks new location

TUBA CITY -- At 1:55 a.m., Aug. 13, in the wee Sunday morning hours, Vanessa Brown's phone woke her with alarming news. The Angel House, a household donation and distribution center that she had been running for more than five years, was on fire.

According to the Tuba City Fire Department incident report, all observations and clues, the fire was intentionally started.

"It's just an old building with no electricity or running water. It's really a piece of history," Brown, the Angel House project coordinator, explained.

Because the weather was clear and the Angel House building and grounds contain no sources for internal combustion such as a heating and cooling system or wired conductors, all indicators point to a purposeful ignition.

"We don't know why this happened," Brown said.

The fire damaged items stored outside, the exterior of the building as well as the front door, which was broken down when firefighters entered. Luckily, few items inside the building were damaged. Even so, the estimated property damage is $25,000.

The Tuba City Angel House, located on Main Street, is a Community Action for Children and Youth Inc. (CACY) project. Since its beginnings, the distribution center has been a source of quality clothing, kitchen supplies, books and household items provided free of charge.

Brown explained that individuals and families from throughout Arizona and New Mexico frequented the Angel House due to a variety of circumstances. From survivors of home fires, late summer floods or the "twister" in Cameron to recovering Tuba City Hospital patients, social service clients, veterans and families, the Angel House has been there to assist individuals in need.

The donated goods were gifts from multiple sources beginning with community members and bolstered by truckloads arriving from other distribution agencies in places such as Page, Las Vegas, Sedona, Connecticut, Ohio and Flagstaff, Brown said.

The Angel House is currently located in building owned by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, but due to the fire, Brown has received notice to vacate.

"I've been working long, long hours to move things out," Brown said. "I do definitely need a storage place. He [the BIA representative] didn't give me a date, but he told me he was going to work on a letter to CACY right away."

CACY Board President Wanda MacDonald explained that because no formal agreement was held between the BIA and CACY to rent the facility, insurance coverage would not pay for the damage. She hopes that the community will pull together to find a new home in Tuba City for the Angel House.

"It is really unfortunate and sad that there are people who would attack this source of help for those unfortunate ones who constantly utilize this service. Ms. Brown has cared and worked hard to develop this resource for so many years and it needs to be respected and developed to an even higher level by community members. We community care providers need this service for our clientele. Thank goodness this fire was not devastating. I would encourage more people to get involved with this worthy service," MacDonald said.

The Angel House is normally open Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Brown said that when families arrived last week Wednesday to receive assistance they were extremely saddened by the tragedy. However, Brown said, she is trying to remain positive and persistent.

"We wouldn't want the Angel House to be also homeless," she said.

For more information about contributing to the Angel House contact Brown at 928-856-4057.