November 22, 2016, this was the fire that stopped everyone in their tracks.  The flames and plumes of smoke could be seen for miles around, people pulled their cars over to the side of the road to watch, take videos, and pray for those involved. The paper reported that the first responders had managed to save the house by spraying it, but the barn was already too far gone by the time they arrived.

What many did not know, this was a home to Aaron and Keely Morris and their four children. Thankfully, the family members were able to get out of the house. This farm was also home to many animals.  Many, maybe most, of those animals had found this farm a safe place to land, a refuge for those that had fallen on hard times themselves.  The Morris family has taken in many feral cats that could have been euthanized, but instead they provided a barn, food, that roof over their heads to live out their lives. They have taken in homeless turtles, guinea pigs, hamsters, and even a hedge hog. A scared dog, a needy cat, this was their soft place. We are saddened beyond belief at the loss of the cats and chickens that perished in the fire. Keely tried to get them out and suffered a sprained ankle and smoke inhalation herself.

The Morris family is not one to ask for help, rather they are the people that provide that help to others in so many ways. We are setting up this account to help them out now, as hard as it is for them to accept it, they truly need it now. The insurance will cover a portion of the loss, but not even close to the actual loss. The home was damaged as well, windows blew out with the explosion of the propane tank.  At this time, the home is not habitable.  Inside the barn there was farm equipment, livestock supplies, gardening tools, 3 freezers stocked for the family, kids toys and bikes, cat and dog supplies, and even the recent addition of a family pool is gone. An account has been set up to go directly to the Morris family to help them get back on their feet and hopefully moved back into their home. Please help as much, or as little as you can. Thank you!!