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Thousands of donated items will support Lancaster fire victims

Elite Dance Company accepted donations for Peggy Ludwig and her four children, who lost their home days before Christmas.

LANCASTER, N.Y. — The Lancaster community has truly wrapped their arms around Peggy Ludwig and her four children.

"This is just amazing. I have such a wonderful community and I'm so grateful for this," said Ludwig.

Ludwig is a single mom of four children, her oldest son has autism. Saturday night, while she was home baking Christmas cookies, her house on School street went up in flames. She was able to get everyone out of the house but lost everything in the fire.

"Even though it's a tragedy, I'm blessed. Not only do I have my children, I have the support of a wonderful community, friends, and family" Ludwig continued.

Stacey Friend is Peggy's neighbor. She owns Elite Dance Company in Bowmansville. On Monday, Stacey opened the doors to her dance studio so people could donate items for the family. Thousands of items were donated to support them.

"I never imagined it would be like this. We actually need a U-Haul to help the family and get everything over there, which has also been donated," said Friend.

One by one, boxes and garbage bags were unloaded into the studio. "People have brought everything from dishes, china, winter coats, money, gift cards. We have a Christmas dinner donated. The kids are going to have a nice Christmas," said Friend.

"I brought some goodies, candy canes, chocolates, because I know everybody is going to be bringing clothes and that's also important but I thought they might want something special," said volunteer Sydney Graap.

Ludwig has received donations from the Lancaster Police Department, Lancaster Fire Department, and Lancaster School District.

As of 10 p.m. Monday, a Go Fund Me page raised more than $35,000 for the family. 

"The amount of people that are just walking in and handing over 20 dollars, 50 dollars just in cash. We're asking them, 'Do you want to leave the family a note?' 'No, we just want them to be ok.' It's just been incredible," remarked Friend.

The family is currently staying with friends, but Ludwig says they will move into an apartment soon. She says she will never leave her community, and has plans to rebuild her home right where it stands now.

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