A Columbia Falls family of 13 left homeless after a Friday night fire is amazed by the outpouring of kindness from the community in the wake of the disaster.

The blaze burned the Shestak home at 65 Sandy Hill Terrace and all of their belongings while they were at church, but within hours people from across Montana stepped in to help.

“For the response of people through the valley, even from Missoula and Great Falls, thanks so much,” said Tanya Shestak, the sister-in-law of Julia Shestak.

Julia and Alex Shestak lived in the home along with their 11 children ages 3 through 19.  

“They brought so many clothes and shoes. It’s enough,” Tanya Shestak said.

Other than winter boots, the family has received more than enough clothing, she said.

The Shestaks are staying at a hotel while they apply for other housing. Donations are being stored at the garage of a family member until the next move, which makes it a bit difficult for the family to assess what they have received or will need in their new space.

Appliances and furniture are still needed.

“They still need some mattresses,” Tanya Shestak said. “If somebody has big stuff, they can call them to coordinate.”  

Anna Fernandez-Gevaert, Red Cross communications director for Montana and Idaho,  suggested people wanting to help make cash donations to the family’s GoFundMe account. The account had raised just under $17,000 from 142 donors as of Wednesday evening, four days after it was set up.

“My guess would be that that is the best way to help them because then they can make the best decisions about purchases to help them,” Fernandez-Gevaert said.

The GoFundMe account can be accessed at www.gofundme.com/6s7u8nxw.

“Even though a lot of people don’t know us, or haven’t seen each other in a long time, so many people have helped us out and we are continuing to receive help,” Alex Shestak wrote on the page. “It is very much needed and we are so speechless. Thank you for everything.”

People can call Alex and Julia at 406-309-5774 or 406-261-1241 for more information about what is needed and where to drop off donations.

Sizes for winter boots are:

•  Size 9 for a 3-year-old boy.
•  Size 13 for a 6-year-old boy.
•  Size 3 for and 8-year-old girl and a 9-year-old girl.
•  Size 7 for a 12-year old boy.
•  Size 5 for an 11-year-old boy.
•  Size 7/8 for a 14-year-old girl.
•  Size 10 for a 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy.
•  Size 8.5 shoes for an 18-year-old girl.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.