Over the past year, Emma Grindstaff hasn’t exactly seen her fair share of rest.

But if you ask the county resident, she would not have it any other way. Since the passing of her daughter, Dana Keeling, and granddaughter, Sara, in an apartment fire at Pine Ridge Circle, Grindstaff has pushed for safety ladders to be installed at the Elizabethton Housing and Development Agency complex.

Working with the Elizabethton Fire Department, EHDA and the TLC Community Center, Grindstaff has been putting in the hours to raise $4,200 to be used toward the installation of safety ladders for the second-story apartments under the EHDA management.

As of Monday, March 19, Grindstaff has raised $1,737 with one citizen making a $1,000-plus donation.

“I got a call from Angie (Odom) with TLC Center and she said a man had stopped by and that he wanted to donate $1,009 to the safekeeping project,” Grindstaff said. “I cried. I was at my friend’s house when I got the call. I was over the moon.”

Action with the project is expected to continue this weekend with a special raffle to raise funds for the ladders. The public is invited to attend the event, scheduled for Saturday, March 24, at the TLC Center from 3 to 6 p.m.

Tickets will be available at the door for $5 or can also be picked up by contacting Grindstaff. According to Grindstaff, participants don’t have to be in attendance to win a prize and all funds will be used for the project.

“It’s been great,” Grindstaff said. “Over the weekend, I was able to sell $60 worth of tickets. Various items will be available during the event, including certificates for different local businesses and organizations.”

Individuals wanting to assist with the project or participate in the drawing may contact Grindstaff at (423) 470-1006. The public can also visit the RAFFLE Safekeeping Project In Honor Of Dana And Sara Facebook page online for more information.