TUCKAHOE, Virginia (WWBT) – Neighbors flock to Henrico County Disco Sports owners after they lost their home in a fire on September 16.
GoFundMe now exists to help the couple get back on their feet.
Fire damage is overwhelming, and everything that matters to it in the home is completely burned and destroyed.
The fire started in an upstairs bedroom and spread to the entire floor, but the smoke and water damage extends throughout the house.
“When someone hears a siren passing by a fire engine, bless them,” said Gail Held through tears.
Gail and Lew Held woke up with the unimaginable just over three weeks ago.
“Everything that’s gone,” Gail said. “There’s only water and mold everywhere.”
Their home had been on fire for almost 25 years.
“The smoke goes all over the house, and of course they used water to put out the fire that goes to all parts of the house,” said Lew Held.
The house wears physical fire scars, but Gail wears emotional ones.
“I think about it because I saw the fire and I still remember it,” she said.
This comes after an already difficult year due to COVID-19.
“Nothing happened, no baseball, no football, and of course we had these things here that we have to pay for … and then there’s no season,” said Lew.
Now the community is growing.
“I can’t even begin to say what this community means to us,” said Gail. “They just come out, everyone has been so good to us. I just can’t even describe it. We were brought meals, telephones.
It’s easy to see why people are willing to help. The Helds have been indulging in this area for decades.
“Every time someone comes and asks my mother about a child whose parents cannot afford shoes or may need help with a season’s outfit, we always help,” said their daughter Karen Mainwaring.
“I like giving away free stuff, and that means free hugs,” said Gail.
Now the Held family receives this love in return.
“I come from the country and I was taught to love everyone and share, and that’s what people did. I feel like the people of the house have moved here, ”said Gail.
The family has to be away from home for six months while teams work to save what’s left.
You can make a donation for their collection here.
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