By james art MADISON COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) – Madison County couple Andrew and Elizabeth Roberts received their gift of a new home Saturday after their home was destroyed during Hurricane Helen.
A couple from Texas drove a camper they no longer needed to the Sunshine State and signed the title to Roberts this weekend.
“We really didn’t mind who got it as long as a family needed it,” said RV donor Betty Leffler. “And we just decided it was our calling to do that.”
Elizabeth Roberts said they are incredibly grateful to have received the help.
“Thank God we made it through the hurricane,” she said, crying. “Thank God for that. We are here.
Andrew Roberts added: “We went through it and survived it and met these wonderful people who helped us.”
The couple’s home was destroyed in September when a tree crashed through their roof during Hurricane Helena. They lived in the home after the storm without power, water, and the tree still sticking through their ceiling.
When volunteers from two nonprofit organizations, Madison County Strong Long Term Recovery Group and Starfish Disaster Recovery, discovered the conditions the couple was living in, they stepped in to help. Volunteers arranged an airbnb for the couple to stay through FEMA, ensuring they had food, water and other necessities.
“The disaster took a lot out of them and this is going to give them a fresh start and hopefully soon they’ll be able to build this and move in and, you know, the past will be behind them,” said volunteer Devin Thompson of the Strong Long Term Group restoration of madison county.
Once their damaged home is demolished, the camper will be moved to the property for the couple to live in permanently.
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