Jun 16, 2015 3 min read

A devastating fire is not stopping Washington City Mission President and Chief Executive Officer Dean Gartland from planning for the future. He wants residents to know the mission is operating and continues to provide services to the area’s homeless and needy community members.

“We continue to do what God calls us to do,” Gartland said.

In the early morning of June 9, the mission’s main building at 84 W. Wheeling St., caught fire, destroying the kitchen and dining room. Three men’s dormitories, the medical clinic and attic sustained major fire, smoke and water damage, making laundry facilities, classrooms and recreation space off-limits. Fifty-eight homeless men have been displaced, and women and children who use the mission’s services have been affected.

In order to provide more than 300 meals a day to those in need, the mission is using The Bible Chapel’s nearby facilities at 34 W. Wheeling.

“It’s absolutely amazing what an outpouring of compassion and care we have experienced here,” Gartland said of the donations and offers for space the mission has received.

The most pressing issue is obtaining more permanent housing. Currently, the men who call the mission home are living in the organization’s Samaritan Care Center. Over the next day or so, Gartland said they will be moved to a mission-owned building on West Wheeling that will provide a more comfortable atmosphere.

He and the board of directors are working on leasing a building close to the mission to house the men. Ultimately, they are hoping to lease land on which temporary mobile housing units will be placed, similar to the housing provided to oil and gas workers.

It will take six to nine months for the mission building to be inhabitable.

“The main thing is to get the men in a safer and more stable situation and to continue our services,” Gartland said.

An electrical engineer is investigating the exact cause of the fire. Gartland said he was told by a state fire marshal that the fire did not appear suspicious.

Mayor Brenda Davis met with Gartland Tuesday to help facilitate a more permanent location for the men. She helped organize a disaster relief drive Friday with Washington City Transit Authority and Cricket Wireless, in which monetary donations and clothing were collected at the retail store on North Main Street.

“They provide a service to the most vulnerable of our community,” Davis said of the mission. “What they do for those folks is such a benefit. Whatever the city can do, we’re willing to do.”

Garland said donations received from many local residents, organization and businesses, such as ANSYS, JP Enterprises and Chik-fil-A, are keeping the mission in operation.

The Meadows Casino donated $10,000 and pledged to prepare and deliver meals in the coming weeks. Donation boxes have been placed around the casino to allow guests to donate their slot vouchers, table chips and cash. The Meadows is also working to donate kitchen equipment and utensils.

Washington County Chamber of Commerce President Jeff Kotula has pledged the chamber’s support in connecting potential donors with the mission and the Masonic Hall and Washington School District have offered kitchen facilities and temporary housing.

The Washington High School band and football team will canvass on Main Street from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today to collect money for the mission.

To make a donation to City Mission, visit www.citymission.org, call 724-222-8530, or mail checks to 382 W. Chestnut St., Suite 108, Washington, Pa. 15301.