Carol Alvarez said she was a bit overwhelmed Thursday by the many offers of help she was getting from the Lawrence community.

Alvarez, who lost her home and belongings in a fire on Saturday, said phone calls offering aid were continuous at West Junior High School where she teaches. Many offering assistance had read Thursday’s story in the Journal-World about her plight, she said.

Offers have included items such as furniture and dishes.

“I was surprised, simply because it is people (calling) that I don’t know,” she said. “They say, ‘you don’t know me, but …'”

She was at home Saturday night when the fire erupted in the walls of her house at 2102 Melholland Drive, causing $90,000 in damage. She also lost two of her pets.

Alvarez still needs a place to live and said she is considering a couple of possibilities.

“At this time, since I’m in a motel, I just can’t take any furniture because I don’t have any place to put it,” she said. “I have a list, and I just need to get organized.”