BRIDGETON, Mo. — Some much-needed help for the displaced residents of Heritage House apartments will be happening Wednesday night.
The Vivian Whitley Foundation and the Universal African People's Organization are hosting a fundraiser at 6:30 Wednesday night at the Hilton St. Louis Airport Hotel called a 'Festive Evening of Giving.'
5 On Your Side has been following this closely after water pipes burst a week-and-a-half ago in sub-freezing temperatures with no working heat.
Most of the residents are elderly and many are still struggling.
About 90 residents are now staying at the Hilton Airport. They moved out of their temporary housing at the Ballpark Hilton and relocated to the Hilton Airport on Sunday.
Their biggest need right now is non-perishable food and bottled water.
The organizations are also asking for donations of healthy snacks, adult diapers, toiletries, socks, undergarments, caps, and gloves, or gift cards.
Because of the massive damage at Heritage House in Midtown, the property manager has extended their stay through next Tuesday night.
After that, according to the Vivian Whitley Foundation, residents will be on their own for living arrangements.
Zaki Baruti, the President General of Universal African People's Organization released this statement, saying in part, "To see the pain of the elderly being uprooted from their homes, placed in one facility, and then days later, having to be uprooted again. The trauma and pain of these movements have impacted the elderly. We need to wrap our arms around them with love to get them through this crisis."
Both organizations said residents were told they could stay at the Hilton Airport for 19 days, however that's not the case.
Now the groups are fearful some will be homeless after next week if they don't find housing.
The fundraiser will be held at 6:30 tonight at 10330 Natural Bridge Road in Bridgeton.
Even after the fundraiser, people can still drop off donations at the Hilton Airport Hotel.
