Athletic Community Steps Up To Help Fire Victim

PARKLAND TOWNSHIP, Wis. - "By the time I got there it there's only a couple of things still standing," said Lewie Welch. It started as a typical Friday morning for Welch, who's a triathlete and manager of Anytime Fitness in Superior. But a call from his brother changed everything."First thing he said was the house burned down. You know, kind of sat there on the phone waiting for the punch line you know, ha, I need to borrow this or something like that and it just never came," Welch explaind.The house, now just a charred foundation, had been in the family for decades."My dad grew up there, my aunt, my uncles,” said Welch. “So that was the hardest thing to deal with knowing that that was gone for them."On top of that loss, his year’s worth of fitness and Iron Man training gear were also lost. "One of the biggest things that I lost as far as being replaceable was my racing bike,” said Welch. “That's a big thing that I want to get back to right away." The devastating loss traveled fast through family, friends and the sporting community in the Twin Ports.  They wanted to help the humble athlete who is so dedicated to helping people change their lives for the better."He's very likeable. He' s kind of built with a ready smile on his face,” Tortoise and Hare Footwear Co-owner Jim Stukel said. “People like that who are genuine, it's very easy to help." A GoFundMe account was set up online, which quickly raised more than $4,000. Businesses like Tortoise and Hare Footwear are donating training tools to get Welch restocked so he can fully get back to work."We want to help him with some of the gear that he had that was part of training and running and whatever,” said Stukel. “So we need to help him get right with that again." Welch says the generosity has been overwhelming."I never feel like I do enough for people so to see this kind of response when I'm in need has been very humbling -- Just kind of take everything day by day." To donate, click here for the GoFundMe account. Another family in Superior is also in need of help after a fire burned down their home and took the life of their brother. To help them out, click here.