For Ethel and Delbert Swift, the unthinkable happened on Christmas day 2008 — their house in Americus burned to the ground while they were having Christmas with family in Fredonia.
Wednesday afternoon, Delbert Swift was still sifting through the rubble of what used to be his home. By Thursday afternoon, the site was nearly cleaned up, with only a kitchen table sitting atop dirt and a few personal effects. It’s all the Swifts have left.
The Swifts also have their 1-year-old, which they boarded while they were in Fredonia. If they hadn’t, the cat would not have survived the fire.
Delbert and Ethel Swift are now living with their daughter, Kay, in Americus until they can get an apartment. They have three other grown children, Traci of Fredonia, Charla of Fredonia and Paul of Oklahoma.
Ethel Swift said she has lived in Americus for 40 years and she and Delbert Swift have been married 25 years.
When their home burned on Christmas morning, the Americus community rallied around the family, providing them with food, clothing and money to buy things they needed. Neighbors even helped clear debris from the home site.
“I really appreciate all the help and everything they gave us,” Ethel Swift said. “They helped us clean up the place and everything.”
Neighbors will rally around the family again at a benefit dinner this weekend. Jena Johnson, co-owner of The Breck Cafe in downtown Americus, said there will be a dinner and entertainment from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the cafe. Donations willbe accepted for a fund to help the Swifts.
The Breck and others in the community are donating the food and Mike Miller & Friends will provide the entertainment.
“It’s going to be a fun time for all,” Johnson said. “There will be all kinds of smoked meats. It’s a big event to help them get on their feet. It’s a big outpouring of support by the community.”
madpoet (anonymous) says...
It's amazing how disasters bring out the best in people. We'd been in our new home less then 6 months when it caught fire. A neighbor we didn't even know stopped by and told us we could go to her house to warm up (it was December and bitter cold). I was really touched. Luckily, we were home and were able to contain the fire until the fire dept. arrived to put it out. It was a horrible experience and my heart goes out to anyone in that situation. I was glad I had some clothes and such I could give to the family who lost their home to a fire in October. I felt that I was paying forward the kindness we received after our house fire.
January 9, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )