MONARCH — Donations of money and clothes are needed to help a family who lost their home to fire and then saw one member hospitalized due to a heart attack.

Gene Carroll Harris and his wife, Cheryl Grady Harris; their son, Mark Harris and his spouse, Erica Candler; Mark and Erica’s children, Connor, 8, and Cierra, 6, were forced to flee their home on Hancock Street in Monarch early Monday morning when a fire broke out. The family lost everything but the clothes on their back and have been staying at the American Economy Inn since then.

On Monday night, Cheryl Harris suffered a mild heart attack resulting in her spending most of the past week in Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. She was released from the hospital Thursday.

The family’s plight has strong a response from the community according Robbie Littlejohn who is among the many individuals and groups attempting to the Harrises. Littlejohn said he had been told by the family there has been an outpouring of support, particularly in the form of clothing for the children. He said The Red Cross and Salvation Army has assisted with providing temporary housing. In addition,Littlejohn said the family has said The Red Cross has helped with medicine and providing new eyeglasses for Cheryl Harris and Erica Candler.

Littlejohn said an account has been set up at Arthur State Bank for the family. Anyone who wants to make a contribution can go to any branch of ASB and request to make a deposit to the Harris Fire Victims Fund. These funds will be used to assist the family in setting up housekeeping again.

More donations of clothing are also welcome. Littlejohn said the following sizes are needed for:

• Gene Carroll Harris

Pants – size 32 waist and 34 length

Shirt – Extra large

• Cheryl Harris

Pants – size 13-14

Shirt – Large

Shoes – size 8 ½ or 9

• Mark Harris

Pants – size 34 waist and 34 length

Shirt – Extra Large

Shoes – size 12

• Erica Candler

Pants – size 1 or 3

Shirt – Small

Shoes – size 6 ½

• Connor Harris

Pants – size 10

Shirt – size 10-12

Shoes – size 3

• Cierra Harris

Pants – size 6

Shirt – size 6

Shoes – size 12

Persons with clothing that could be worn by Mark, Erica, Connor and Cierrra should contact Beth Candler at 427-0222. Those with clothing that could be worn by Carroll and Cheryl should contact Linda Littlejohn at 427-1859.