A local family lost everything on Saturday morning when an electrical fire claimed their home and all their belongings with just short of two weeks left until Christmas. However, two local businesses have banded together to harness support for the family’s loss.

Joseph and Erica Nimeskern and their two small children, who, before Saturday morning, were residents of 218 North Bonner St., were visiting their parents Friday night and sleeping over because it was Joseph NImeskern’s birthday Saturday, he said. Over the course of the night, an electrical fire started and the slow-burning fire burned for about four hours before it was noticed, Nimeskern said.

“It was an electrical fire, and we weren’t there,” Nimeskern said. “We were over at our parents house, and we got the call. All of our belongings were lost. We had about two pair of clothes each from staying over at our parents, and that’s it.”

According to Nimeskern, his father-in-law’s sister, who had received word on Facebook from the Nimeskern’s neighbor, called the family early Saturday morning and notified them. The family awoke early on Saturday morning and arrived on the scene at about 7 a.m., Nimeskern said.

Nimeskern said he and his wife, a Beaufort County native, met in Fort Raleigh, Kansas, when they were both enlisted in the United States Army. Joseph Nimeskern completed three tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan and had saved money throughout his enlistment. Three years ago, the two moved to Beaufort County and started a life together and purchased the house. Now in nursing school, Nimeskern lost all his books for school, scrubs, computer and other equipment for nursing school in the fire, he said.

The couple had already purchased all of their gifts for Christmas so the fire claimed those, as well as the family’s Christmas tree, Nimeskern said. The couple has a two-year-old daughter, a one-year-old son and one on the way, according to Nimeskern. Also, the day of the fire was Joseph Nimeskern’s birthday, he said.

In the midst of the tragedy, a couple of local businesses have teamed up to help the family, as well as channel support from the community. Ron and Susan Lundy, owners of Washington Book Store and Coffee Company, and Ryan Bettner, of the Missing Ink, are heading an initiative to help the Nimeskern family.

“It’s close to Christmas time, and it’s one of those situations where if we can contribute, it would be nice,” Ron Lundy said. “We are setting up a donation box here (Washington Book Store) and at the Missing Ink to accept donations. We just want to be able to help piece back a few bits of their stuff together. As a community, it would be really nice if other people could get involved. If people want to donated anything at all, we are going to give it to the family.”

Lundy said the Nimeskern family could use, literally, anything people are able to donate or contribute. They need clothes, toys for their kids and basic houseware — anything and everything, according to Lundy and Nimeskern.

“We just greatly appreciate the help,” Nimeskern said. “It’s just been so much to deal with. I’m just in shock. It just happened really quick. We appreciate the community, and some people have already come together and supported us. They (Washington Book Store and the Missing Ink) have really come together to try and help us.”

To donate, visit Washington Book Store and Coffee Company, located at 221 West Main St., or the Missing Ink, located at 210 West Main St.