Community helps after Army sergeant's home is destroyed by fire

Community helps after Army sergeant's home is destroyed by fire

The Leadingham family is a group of survivors. In March a fire started by a fan in the kid's room destroyed their home.

Harley Leadingham says, "Me and my brother smelled the smoke so we looked in the back and it was a small fire to begin with but by the time we were outside it had engulfed the entire room."

Three days after the fire, Harley's father, Army Sergeant Richard Leadingham was deployed to Afghanistan.

Since the fire destroyed their home, Linda Leadingham and her four kids have been living in a tent city of sorts in their back yard.  She says, "Me and my 10 year old sleep in this tent, Ashley sleeps in here, and TJ sleeps in there."

Before he left, Richard hooked up water for his family to take warm showers, the kids salvaged their refrigerator and microwave, and neighbors have been like angels. A business owner next door gives the family power.

Some teens from the Marion Military academy helped clean out the house, and complete strangers have donated time and money.

Linda says, "The other day I came out and there was an envelope with money in it sitting on my van."

The military academy also started a website and an effort called Operation Rebuild. They are asking for donations to help build the Leadingham family a new home.   So far, they've been able to get a roof, siding, windows and nails donated from area businesses.

The plan is to have the new home built by January, to surprise Richard Leadingham when he returns from war.

To donate, click here.

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On the web:

http://www.marionmilitaryacademy.org/news/help-needed.html