Helping hands after tragedy strikes

A Breckenridge, Minnesota, couple who lost their home to a fire Dec. 30, 2014 are now the recipients of overwhelming community support.

Jim and Marie Clement were out of town on the day of the fire. Thankfully, there were no injuries but unfortunately, along with their home and possessions, the couple lost their beloved cat and dog to smoke inhalation. The fire marshal determined the cause of fire was not the wood burner or chimney, but degraded wiring in the attic of their 1950s-era home.

It was a really good, solid house, Jim Clement said. They were able to save our big detached two-stall insulated garage, which had my restored Chevy, a BMW motorcycle and (Honda) Gullwing motorcycle inside.

Colleen Bruns lives near the Clements home. Her granddaughter, fifth grader Morgan Bruns, took it upon herself to help out the couple.

My granddaughters were here with me that day of the fire. Morgan looked at me and said, Grandma, I want to do something, I want to get some money for Jim and Marie, Colleen Bruns recalled. She knows Jim from when he rides by on his bike with his dog, she knew he was the shoe guy.

Clement owns Jims Shoe Repair in Breckenridge.

She went around her neighborhood and ours and collected money for Jim and Marie, Bruns continued. We then took the donation down to the shop.

Morgans sister, Caytlin, also donated to the cause, giving the couple money from her piggy bank.

We are so proud of Morgan to think of that, Bruns said. She was real upset about the fire.

Morgan Bruns said she thought it would be a good thing to do for the couple who lost their home.

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Helping hands after tragedy strikes