Live! in the Community rallies around couple after devastating house fire

HAUGHTON, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Live! in the Community with the Cares Krewe heard about a sweet couple who were facing some difficult times.

In typical Live! in the Community with the Cares Krewe fashion, we had a little help from the Anderson’s close friends, the Hardys, to pull off this surprise. They were utterly confused as we came through the garage and led ourselves into their rental home’s kitchen, and made them believe we were joining them for dinner.

“How are you doing? It’s okay. We were told that we were all going to dinner, so we got really excited,” said Josh Robinson, Vice President of Marketing – Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana.

We had an opportunity to sit with the Andersons and find out what was going on with them.

“The last two weeks have gone great because everything is falling together. She lost her Yukon. And we just got her a new vehicle this week,” shared Mr. Anderson.

“What happened with the fire?” inquired Shelli Briery Murphy, Advertising and Public Relations Manager with Live! Casino & Hotel.

“My car caught on fire. We are not 100% sure. We heard a popping noise in the garage. And we were in the living room, and we walked out. I then walked into the kitchen and looked out the window over the sink; it was engulfed. I walked out and tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher, and it was too big,” shared Mr. Anderson.

Mr. Anderson emotionally shared that he had owned the car since 2001 and had built it from the ground up. He had also done a frame-up restoration and remodeled their home for over 10 years. However, with almost 56 years of marriage, a lot of their memorabilia was lost in the house fire.

Their kids were able to salvage their wedding book and remove it from the home.

“I’m sorry. It’s hard. It’s hard,” said Mr. Anderson through tears.

“I’m so sorry. I am a big picture person. I love pictures,” said Mrs. Anderson.

Live! in the Community with the Cares Krewe just so happened to have a picture frame collage as a gift to give to Mrs. Anderson to help replenish her love of pictures.

Although there is no way we could give the Andersons everything they needed to rebuild their lives in their new home, we did have some items (a Visa gift card, credit to Bewley’s Furniture Center, and a staycation at Live! Casino & Hotel) that may be helpful to them as they move forward.

“We hope, in a very small way, that we make this time just a little bit easier for you guys,” said Josh Robinson.

Through joyful tears, the Andersons were very grateful for the support of their family, friends, and community.

Thank you to the Andersons for sharing their heartfelt story, allowing us to come into their temporary home, and sharing their emotional journey with us. And thank you to the Hardys for helping us navigate all the sneaky details; we could not have done it without your help.

Live! in the Community with the Cares Krewe looks for deserving recipients each week!

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