Rising From the Ashes
Life can change in an instant. For Mark and Gina, that life-changing moment happened last winter when they found themselves standing in their yard, their three young children tucked into their sides, watching their home disappear in flames. The couple had just paid off the mobile home when disaster struck, leaving them homeless and without any clothing, food, or personal possessions.
“They were so happy to have their trailer paid off,” recalled Gale Spry, a volunteer with The Salvation Army of White County. “But then the fire happened, and there was nothing left afterward.”
The Salvation Army was one of the first organizations to step in and help the young family. Gale arranged for Mark, Gina, and their children, ages one, three, and six, to stay in a local hotel for a few nights while they worked out temporary living arrangements with nearby relatives.
She also provided food vouchers so that they could eat while their insurance company sorted out the claim. Others in the community stepped up to help, as well, like a local church that was able to provide clothing for all the family members.
With food, shelter, and clothing secured, Mark and Gina could focus on taking care of their frightened children and figuring out how to rebuild their lives after such a great loss. They were able to move in with relatives and Mark worked overtime for several months to build up their savings. Eventually, he and Gina were able to combine their savings with money from their insurance claim to make a downpayment on a small house.
The first-time homebuyers moved in over the summer, but they never forgot how The Salvation Army was there for them when their world turned upside down. The blessings they received in those first few tumultuous day were just the support they needed to start over again.
When you give to The Salvation Army, your gifts help people just like Mark and Gina when the unexpected happens. Thank you for being a part of their story and a blessing to so many other families across Indiana.