As part of this week’s Holiday Heroes event, one family stood out for their need, and appreciation for the new-to-Pella program.

On October 30th, Loretta Maccready’s rental home at 914 Franklin Street went up in flames, which caused significant damage to the historic Pella structure. This week, the same heroes that battled the blaze helped Maccready’s two children, Troi and Laurelei, have a better Christmas celebration this year by purchasing gifts through the shopping event. She tells KNIA/KRLS News it was special to receive the amount of help from friends and neighbors after their family was set back by the fire.

“I was so thankful that I got to be in this community because not very many communities do that, they don’t get all together and they don’t help us–the ones that just need it, just because,” she says. “We are all very, very, very honored and warmed.”

Troi and Laurelei were also thankful to the police and firefighters that helped them each get a gift they wanted for the upcoming holiday. Maccready says the family’s spirits remain high as they recover from the October 30th fire, and she’s grateful for the support of the community.