While nobody was injured in the blaze, around 350 employees now face an uncertain future. According to local media, however, the townspeople of Bowdon are rallying to support those affected.
The town of Bowdon is home to around 2,000 residents, so it takes no stretch of the imagination to realise how important the Carlisle plant was to the community. An Atlanta-based broadcaster reports that help for employees has come from numerous quarters. It gives the example of Kevin Aviles, assistant principal at Bowdon High School, who commented, “It was an overall feel that the community was just down that day after the fire.” Aviles saw the people of Bowdon wanted to help, said the TV station, but weren’t sure how. He began making phone calls: "I just couldn’t let it go, so I walked into the office and talked to my principal, and he was behind me 110%."
The result of Aviles’ efforts is meaty….and tomatoey. On the evening of Nov. 26, Bowdon High School will host a spaghetti dinner for Carlisle employees, the food for which has been donated by local businesses. "It just seems like every businesses here wants to do something to make a difference," Aviles said.
In addition, the school is attempting to collect groceries to send a box of food home with every employee affected by the fire. The decision to collect canned food goods came during a school holiday week and on short notice. Nevertheless, the pile of donations continues to grow. Aviles says it’s no surprise in a town like Bowdon: "It justifies my feeling toward the community. How wonderful I’ve always thought they’d been. It’s something we’ve been proud of." (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)
