Phillip Hudgins, an Odenville resident, died March 11 in a fire at his home. He was able to save his family from the blaze, but returned to the burning structure to free his dogs from their kennels.

Odenville Police Chief Adam Pardue said the department hadn’t even announced itself as a drop-off site for the family of Phillip Hudgins, but it didn’t stop an anonymous donor. Within hours of the tragedy last week, a bag appeared on the doorstep of the police department.

“It was full of toiletries – soap, shampoo, toothbrushes,” People sometimes don’t even think about hose things in situations like this, but it was the first thing to arrive.”

Since then, over the course of one week, the Odenville community has rallied behind a beloved member. Phillip Hudgins was never one to turn his back on someone in need, and his friends and neighbors have returned the kindness, raising nearly $7,000 for his family and providing them with immediate needed items like food and clothing.

“Donations are still coming in for the family of this wonderful man, and we think we’ll collect close to $10,000,” said Trese Mashburn, who organized an online donation site and coordinated drop-off locations in the community.

Hudgins died in a fire at his home in the early morning hours of March 11. He assisted his wife and daughter in escaping a blaze in their manufactured home but did not leave with them. He returned to free his dogs from their kennels and wasn’t able to escape.

“That’s Phillip, 100 percent,” one of Hudgins’ former teachers said. “His heart is as big as gold. I guarantee you he didn’t try to save those dogs out of stupidity; it was out of feeling. He always put everyone else first in absolutely everything.”

Joyce Dunn, his mother-in-law, said Hudgins worshipped his wife and daughter. Others described him as “someone who could always crack you up” and “the nicest person you’ve ever met.”

Dunn said the family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support shown to her family. There will be a service to honor Hudgins’ memory this Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m. at Red Hill Baptist Church on Highway 11 in Springville. The ceremony is open to the public.