Local family helping others affected by Harvey recover during the holidays
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- It's been less than four months since Hurricane Harvey damaged the Houston area. Those affected by the aftermath continue to recover despite the holidays being here, but good Samaritans are making this Christmas a little brighter for some Harvey victims.
The Garcia family live in Friendswood and had nearly five feet of water in their home. With four young children, they managed to escape safely during the flood, but they lost everything. Today, though, their future looks sweeter.
Jamie Garcia gave birth to their fourth child two weeks prior to Harvey and went home to assess the damage.
"It was hard to take in," said Garcia.
Her husband - a police officer often working - was home with her that night.
"Had he not been there, I don't know how I would have gotten all my kids out of the house," recalled Garcia.
In the weeks to follow, the Garcia's experienced the generosity of the community. First, with the Harvey Moms.
"We're a nonprofit organization helping people get back on their feet after Harvey," explained Harvey Moms co-founder Stephanie Mooring.
They started by delivering food to the Garcia's and other families.
"Today we've served 3,000 meals to families and raised $15,000," added Mooring.
The Harvey Moms recently helped the Garcia's with other items like car seats, bedding and Christmas presents.
"We are handing out close to 500 toys this holiday season," says Mooring.
The Garcia's also connected with Tommy Breen of Patriot Remodeling, Inc. He's a service disabled veteran who wishes he could still serve our country. Now, he serves disabled veterans and police officers, like Garcia's husband, through his business.
"When I saw that he had a need, and I had the ability to fulfill that need, I had to help," said Breen.
He's remodeled the Garcia's entire home at cost.
"He's greatly blessed us because without him, we wouldn't be moving back to our house any time soon, and it would not be a completed house," said Garcia.
Breen said his workers are on the final stretch, and the Garcia's will be home any day.
"Never did we think we'd be back at home for Christmas. It's a Christmas dream come true," said Garcia.
Breen not only plans to have the Garcia's in the home by Christmas, but he's planning to buy them a Christmas tree, too.
The Harvey Moms plan to continue their efforts to help Harvey families through an online garage sale starting in January.
