Community rallies behind Laurel family

LAUREL, Del. – Almost a month after an EF-2 tornado ripped through Laurel the community continues to heal. Friday night, a weeks-long effort culminated in this fundraiser at the American Legion to help one family particularly hard-hit.

The Hewetts have been renting a home and new cars, and are now back to work. Regaining their sense of normalcy thanks to the lending hand of others, including donations through go fund me and fundraisers like the one Friday night.

But there are still a lot of mixed emotions, and the memory of that early morning is still fresh.

Luckily all five family members escaped, but their lives were changed forever.

“You ride by it and it’s still there, but if you look closely, it’s twisted off the foundation, the roof is in the attic, and the attic is in the bedroom,” said Donna Hewett.

The family tells 47ABC even though their home may be lost, they’re still thankful for everything they have, and grateful for the outpouring of support that they continue to see from the Laurel community.

“Materials can be replaced, but family and friends, they’re hard and few to come by anymore,” said Ray Hewett.

Their plan now is to build a one story rancher after demolition is complete on their old home, which could take up to a year.

If you want to help out a go fund me is set up for the family.