Melissa Johnson & Family
(credit: Salvation Army)
Melissa Johnson is a single mother with eight kids under the age of 15. Johnson’s boyfriend and his 15-year-old son make for a house of 11. They were getting ready for dinner when the storm came. “Suddenly, the front door flung open,” Melissa said. “I told everyone to get in the basement. As we headed down there, the windows were busting out and the back door came flying open. Trees – big trees – started falling on the back of the house.” For several weeks the family was forced to split up because there wasn’t anywhere they all could be at the same time. They all moved back into the house a week ago, but they will be forced to vacate soon. The Salvation Army gave her furniture vouchers and will be helping with relocation expenses once housing is found.