Appomattox County family moves into new home after losing everything in a house fire
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — After losing everything in a house fire, a family in Appomattox County now has the keys to their brand-new home.
It has been a long journey, but Chantae Patterson and her daughters are ready to step into this new chapter.
"No matter what happened to you, there can always be something better because it was a tragic thing that happened, but we were blessed with good people and something better," Patterson said.
In October, this family lost everything after a fire broke out in their home in the middle of the night, but they're all here today, because Patterson's oldest daughter,12-year-old Aalaysia Canada, alerted her family to the fire in time for them to get out.
"It's been a long journey and I've been waiting a long time to be able to walk into the door of our new home," Canada said.
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The young lady's heroics, and a call from ABC 13, earned Aalaysia and her mother a trip to the Jennifer Hudson show.
Hudson surprised them with a check for $10,000 to help them recover from their loss.
Patterson said this new home means so much to her and her girls.
"You can't stop smiling because my girls can't stop smiling," Patterson said. "I can't even describe how I feel. I feel at peace also because we are home and there is nothing like being home."
The home was built in the same spot as their old house.
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The builder, Clayton Homes of Bedford, was thrilled to be able to present the family with the keys.
"We knew that we had to do whatever it took to work with this family and get them a new house and it's been an incredible process," Chris Burnett, project manager at Clayton Homes of Bedford said.
As the family settles in, they have a lot to look forward to.
"I think one of the biggest things I'm looking forward to honestly is just sitting on the patio, grilling with family, letting the girls enjoy just good food, smiles, laughs and just being together," Patterson said.
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Patterson said she is so grateful for how the community has supported her and her family during this time.
She said she will never forget what everyone has done to help her family.
"Community, friends, family, Jennifer Hudson, WSET, just everybody, they will always be a part of us because without them I don't think we would be here today," Patterson said.