A Spotsylvania County family who lost their home to a fire last month is reaching out to the community for help.
The house used by the Christians, who made their livelihood working on the farm at Belvedere Plantation, won't be rebuilt by the owner.
All of their possessions were destroyed and the family, which a close friend calls "simple, good folks," is looking for money and household items to get back on their feet.
Family friend Sherry Hayden said they need clothes, furniture, food and money to get back into a home. They are currently staying at motels, she said.
Dorothy Christian, 65, and her late husband lived on the farm for the last 40 years. When the home caught fire, her son, William Christian, his fiancee, Amanda Mitchell, and their 6-week-old son, Maverick, were also living at the house.
The family worked on the farm over the years they lived there, but since the fire, the plantation owner has decided not to rebuild the house, Hayden said.
And William Christian will have his job only for another two months, after he was told he was no longer needed to work on the farm, she said.
Mitchell said that while the family is working to get back on their feet, they need the community's support.
"[This year] has been very difficult for us," she said. "Our baby was our little miracle, but then the fire happened, and we just don't have the money to rebuild."
Ellen Biltz: 540/374-5424
Email: ebiltz@freelancestar.com
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Money for the Christian family can be donated through branches of Union Bank and Trust. Those wishing to donate should drop off checks at the bank, made out to the Christian Family Memorial Fund. To donate furniture or other household items to the Christian family, call Sherry Hayden at 540/899-5358. |