As we previously reported Bobby Green, a local minister of the Holy Ghost Ministry, his wife and daughter came to News 10 seeking help to rebuild their life after losing everything in a fire on March 10. The fire happened around midnight off Old Jeanerette Road.
Lashawn Franklin and his wife Julie were nearby neighbors whose trailer received damage from the heat of the blazing flames next door. Having lived there for nearly seven years, Lashawn and his wife remember the night when the fire happened.
“We were in the house at the time my neighbor’s house caught on fire about 1 a.m. in the morning, between that time and my wife was like, ‘Shawn what is that big red light?’ So, I looked, and when I looked out, I saw the house engulfed in flames next door,” said Lashawn. “So, what I did was run out of my house and offered my assistance to help my neighbors. They didn’t have a cell phone in time. I assume. So, we called 911 from my phone, not knowing that the other neighbors down the street ended up calling 911 also. We try to give as much assistance and help as we could have and now, we’re left with a situation where our house is affected, but we have no one to help us.”
Lashawn shared the daily struggles they face by having broken windows. They have to place cardboard inside to keep the rain from coming inside and they can’t afford to put in new windows. The trailer’s skirting is undone. Their insulation is coming out so they can’t stop insects and termites from coming through. Also, the energy levels are increasing because they can’t conserve energy within the home.
“I have to constantly keep reheating. So that’s energy going out in the air,” he said. “My porch just had it done; built. I can’t replace that. That was somewhere I could just sit and write and enjoy myself and have my piece of my mind. My solitude here and I can’t do that without having the memory and looking at this sore right here, but I’m still compassionate of his situation.”
He adds he lost his mother’s chair which was of sentimental value because she is no longer living.
“She would study her Bible in it every day and she’s gone now. She left that to me. I can’t replace that,” said Lashawn. “Right now, I’m not working. I’m not looking for anybody just to help me like a handout. I’m not begging; not at all but I am in a financial situation where I can use the support. I’m not asking for no one’s money. I just want the work done to my trailer. That’s all I would like for so I could be back comfortable.”
The Franklins say they know their loss isn’t as significant as their neighbor but as still in need of assistance.
“It ain’t about how much you lost, but can you afford to fix what’s been lost and I can’t afford it right now,” said Lashawn. “I pray to God that it is in his hands. Whatever it is, we are appreciative of it.”
Holding on strong to their faith they hope to receive help.
“That man above is how I keep my faith. Like he said even when things don’t look good, you still look forward and be appreciative of what you do have. I am appreciative of that because there are other people in worse conditions than I am,” he expressed.
If you would be interested in helping the family, they can be reached at 337-579-0143.
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