BEAUFORT, S.C. () — All that remains are memories and scant traces of a family of eleven’s home that was consumed by fire last Sunday. Stripped of everything, their supportive community quickly stepped in to change that.
“I could almost hear the fire, you know like, ‘psh-shh,’” said Johnathan Brown Sr., the father of the family of 11 who was displaced out of their home in Beaufort.
Brown explained when he heard the flames and saw red lights approaching his home, he ran back inside, yelling, “Everybody get out, everybody get out!”
Johnathan and his wife Alsha Brown relived the night the flames erupted inside their home.
They said they feel lucky everyone got out safely but the loss of most of the contents inside is something they’re still working to process.
“You’ve heard it before. You never think it’s going to happen to you until it happens,” said Alsha.
Johnathan added, “This is the hardest thing I’ve had to do is go from having a family, a house for my family, to going to stay with somebody.”
He added that losing the home he put his family in made him feel less than.
“It is hard, but we’ll make it through,” he said.
Alsha explained that one of the hardest things for her was having to take their children from the comfort of their home.
“We have two children that are on the spectrum that have disabilities so it’s been kind of tough for them as well. Just, you know, keeping up with their routines and now they have to learn a whole new routine.”
The Browns said family has graciously opened their homes, helping them out in any way possible.
And just this week, they said a village also showed up, providing even more than they could’ve imagined.
“Oh, my goodness,” said Johnathan.
Alsha finished his thought, “There’s just so many people to thank.”
The family said their children’s schools, Jonathan’s place of employment, several churches and even anonymous community members have stepped in to help, donating clothes, food, home supplies and even money. Over $25 thousand has been raised through the families GoFundMe.
“I didn’t realize we had a village until this,” said Johnathan.
His wife added, “God is just working and moving in people’s hearts and my family’s lives that just help us to come together. That means the world to us. That means everything to us.”
The family said the tangible things being given are wonderful but they’re also looking for non-material things.
“If people still want to donate, that’s fine. We appreciate it. But we also appreciate hugs. If you see us and know us, we appreciate your thoughts and your prayers. We always take that and words of encouragement just to keep our spirits up,” said Alsha.
