Tulsa Appliance Store Donates Washer, Dryer To Mannford Wildfire Victims

Employees from Tulsa's Appliance Solutions unloaded a new washer and dryer Wednesday night, for a family in Mannford.

The Bradford's lost their home, car—everything in this month's fires.

"I was able to grab my photographs, my puppies, my TV," Karen Bradford said.

But that was it. Bradford said she lost everything else in the wildfire that raced through Creek County three weeks ago.

"Now, it's just a pile of twisted metal, all bulldozed into a pile," Karen said.

Karen works at Carefusion in Mannford. Her boss, Bill Ludlow, said Karen is a positive and fun person, and that he and her other co-workers all felt compelled to help her family after the fires.

"I work with a bunch of great people," Karen said. "They pulled together and helped me get furniture, dishes, clothes—they got me set up."

Ludlow called Appliance Solutions, and when they heard the Bradfords' story, they decided to forego their quarterly incentive and, instead, use the money for a new washer and dryer for Karen and her family.

They're in a temporary home, but can finally wash their clothes again, thanks to the folks at Appliance Solutions.

"She's lost everything: car, home, no way to get to work, no way to wash and dry clothes—you hear those stories and you have to respond. It's not something you can overlook," said Dave Bauer, president of the Tulsa appliance store.

Karen said she was thrilled and she didn't waste any time, either. She had accumulated a pretty good pile of clothes that needed washing.

"My mountain is gone," she said. "I washed ‘em all."

Karen said there are, of course, things she'd like to have back, but both she and her daughter are fine, and that's great.