In the devastating aftermath of an apartment fire that claimed the life of one person and displaced seven others mere days before Christmas, the local community is rallying together to help those in need.

A two-alarm fire destroyed 10 units of a Twin Lakes apartment building complex early Saturday morning in Federal Way on Dec. 21.

Eight of the 10 units were occupied and one male victim died in the fire, leaving seven others homeless four days before the December holiday.

As soon as the news broke, local community members began to organize ways to help the displaced individuals.

Federal Way City Council member Martin Moore and community member Marquise Hale orchestrated a community donation drop box at Poverty Bay Cafe & Coffee Company in Federal Way, accepting donations until Friday, Jan. 3.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy in our community,” Moore wrote on his Facebook page. “… Our heartfelt condolences for the family who lost a loved one. We are grateful for our first responders & the American Red Cross & all who have offered assistance and support so far.”

Other community leaders supporting these families in need included We Love Our City nonprofit leader Shelley Pauls, council member Mark Koppang, Do the Right Thing nonprofit director Cheryl Cole-Hurst, Dawn Coggins, Young Life area director Todd Zern, former council candidate Tony Pagliocco, and community advocate Betty Taylor.

Needed donation items include clothes, shoes and personal items, although gift cards provide the greatest flexibility for purchases while also providing a sense of empowerment to the displaced families, Moore said. Store or restaurant gift cards can be given to the Poverty Bay baristas for safekeeping.

“I love Federal Way,” Moore said. “This community tends to come together in times of need and this is one of them.”

Poverty Bay Cafe and Coffee Company is located at 1108 S. 322nd Place in Federal Way.