BASSETT, Va. – Community members are helping the members of a Franklin County family get back on their feet after their home was destroyed in a fire last month.
For one local business owner who's assisting, the family's heartache hits close to home.
Crews said a fire started in a space heater at the Allen family’s home on Coopers Mountain Road in Snow Creek on November 25. Since then, many community members have stepped up to help the couple and their 7-year-old son, including Daniel Hanks, who owns Daniel's Auto Glass in Bassett.
"I’m just trying to help them get back on their feet before Christmas so they can take care of their little boy," Hanks said.
It's a tragedy that hits close to home for Hanks.
"I know where they're coming from. I've been in that position myself before," Hanks said.
In 1992, a fire destroyed his home, killing his two children.
"My little boy was 2 and Trinity was 9 months old. So it was very difficult for me. The community kicked in and helped us, got us back on our feet," Hanks said.
When Hanks found out about the Allen family's tragedy on Facebook, he remembered that support and knew he had to help. So he wrote the family a $1,000 check and started collecting donations for them at his business.
"A couple brought in some toys and stuff for their little boy and clothing, I think, for the little boy as well," Hanks said.
Hanks hopes the piles of donations they've already collected can help the family return to normal.
"It’s always better to do for somebody else than it is to want for yourself so to speak. That's my motto is to do unto others as you'd have them do unto you," Hanks said.
Hanks said anyone who’d like to help the family can contact him at Daniel’s Auto Glass.