Nappanee Home Builder Helping Tornado Victims Have a Home for the Holidays

by Kelli Cheatham (kcheatham@wsbt.com)

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Some homeowners are struggling to rebuild their homes after the tornado that hit Nappanee on Oct. 18, 2007. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Nov 29, 2007 at 7:42 AM EST

Story Updated: Dec 15, 2007 at 12:07 PM EST

(WSBT) The federal government recently decided it would not step in to help the victims of the October Tornado in Nappanee. FEMA decided not to offer financial assistance, but that's not stopping others from helping. A local company started helping some Nappanee homeowners rebuild Monday.

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Pam Juarez and her two kids, Ashley and Lupe, watched with excitement as workers put their brand new home on its foundation.

"It means a lot, just being in a new house and moving in pretty soon," said 13-year-old Lupe.

His 14-year-old sister Ashley said she can't wait to move in.

Exactly six weeks ago, the family hid in a friend's basement while a tornado ripped through their town. When they made it back home, the Juarezes found their old house torn off its foundation.

"It was just a big jumble of mess," described Ashley.

The family didn't know where to turn. Pam said she would break down crying because of the stress.

"I didn't know what was going to go on, just thinking about if we were home, or where are we going to live," she said.

The Juarezes are the first of about a dozen Nappanee families getting help from Heckaman Homes — a local modular home manufacturing company. Insurance companies and homeowners are paying for the homes. Heckaman is building them.

"There was a lot of devastation here," said John Mahnken, the President of Heckaman Homes. "We're in a position to build houses very quickly and get these people back in their homes faster than typical site-built construction."

It only takes workers about two hours to get the home from the trailer onto the foundation. It will still be two weeks until the Juarez family can move in because of things like electricity and plumbing. But they will be moved in in time for Christmas.

Pam Juarez told WSBT it's the best present she's ever had.

"I get a whole new house!" she exclaimed.

That new house is also a new beginning, and a new sense of what it means to be thankful.

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