Community Rallies After High School Football Coach Loses Everything In Fire
LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4)- A fire at the Verona Apartments in Littleton last week destroyed several apartments, including one belonging to a high school football coach.
"It's trophies, championship trophies, all the stuff that the kids gave to me, more than just stupid belongings, sentimental stuff," said Englewood volunteer football and baseball coach Steve Shore.
Shore escaped unharmed but said as he watched everything burn from the street, all he could think about was the football team's gear that would be destroyed.
Shore is usually the person encouraging others, especially young football players with the Englewood Youth Sports, an organization he's been coaching with for more than a decade.
Now that community is rallying around him, parents and players, giving back to him and his son in their time of need.
The fire started about noon on April 3 at the Verona Apartments near Belleview Avenue and Federal Boulevard.
The Littleton Fire Chief said the fire started in a vacant bottom unit where maintenance workers had been storing wood doors, paint and varnish. Those items helped fuel the fire and made it difficult to extinguish the blaze.
Shore's apartment he shared with his son was destroyed.
"All your life's work, everything you work for... gone," said Shore.
A Go Fund Me site has been set up to help Shore and his son recover financially. So far more than $2,000 has been raised to help offset what insurance won't pay.
"I can't thank them enough and tell them how much I love them all," said Shore. "It makes you feel blessed for being a good person, doing the right thing and then it comes back."
Shore's son attends Heritage High School. He said that community has also been very supportive during this difficult time.
