The answer has come from an anonymous donor who sounded the alarm for change.

"It was heartbreaking. It ws absolutely heartbreaking. I think, as a community, we've all cried together. We've wondered what it is that we can do," Pam Murray, Smoke Detector Program Co-Director said.

An anonymous donor's answer to that question is all it took to get the "Smoke Detector Program" installed. After a donation from the Holts Summit Community Betterment Association, or HSCBA, organizers worked with a total of $1,350.

"A person came in and visited with me and they really wanted to get a program going because of the tragedies we've had with children in our area with fires," Smoke Detector Program Co-Director Brenda Laydens said.

The program has 256 smoke detectors to give out for free. They say their goal is to get smoke detectors into as many homes in the 65043 zip code as possible. The packets HSCBA members will hand out to citizens of Holts Summit include a smoke detector and a magnet with instructions for children. They also have an escape plan so everyone knows where to go in case of a fire.

HSCBA will hold smoke detector meetings this Thursday and Saturday.

"It won't take but a few minutes of their time and they will leave with a free smoke detector," Laydens said.

HSCBA says they welcome any family but they particularly hope to see families with young children, elderly or anyone with mobility problems.

If any residents need help with installation, the Holts Summit Fire Protection District has offered their services. And if the community doesn't attend the meetings, HSCBA has a plan.

"Brenda and I plan to go door to door until they're all gone," Murray said.

Two-hundred and fifty-six smoke detectors thanks to someone who cares.

"It was very dear to [the donor's] heart. It was very emotional time when he did that. It really touched me as well," Laydens said.

Anonymous generosity that will hopefully prevent more heartache.

The HSCBA smoke detector meetings are tomorrow night at 6 and 6:30 at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Holts Summit and Saturday morning at 10:30 and 11, at the Union Hill Baptist Church Activities Building.