DCSO, Bend Walmart help fire-stricken DRW family

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Bend Walmart have teamed up to help a Deschutes River Woods family that lost all of its possessions when fire destroyed their home a week ago.

The Haller family’s home was destroyed in the July 26 fire, which ignited a brushfire and was traced to an electrical problem in their living room. They were not home, at the time. authorities said.

The Hallers, including two teenage girls and a 2-year-old daughter, have been living with friends and trying to recover from their loss.

The family lost all their possessions and a family dog in the fire.

To assist the Hallers, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Bend Walmart teamed up to provide new clothing, bedding, school supplies and other daily essentials.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office provided unused funds from donations made towards its 2012 Shop with a Cop program. The Bend Walmart provided a gift card and additional logistical support.

“We are so grateful to the citizens of Deschutes County for donating to our ‘Shop with a Cop’ program every year so we can not only use the donations to help brighten the holiday season for local children and their families but also help in emergency situations. This is a tremendous example of seeing a situation where something needs to be done and making sure it happens”, stated Sheriff Larry Blanton.

While not everything could be replaced, the sheriff’s office said, “our hope is that this shopping trip will be a good start on a return to normalcy for the Haller family.”