Community shows Christmas spiritFamily had hidden basement filled with water

[Guest guest]

Community shows Christmas spiritFamily had hidden basement filled

with water; community helps with holidays

Trylch

ABC12.com - Flint,MI,

http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=local & id=4853069

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP (WJRT) - (12/14/06)--Here's a true story about

the Christmas spirit. Thursday afternoon complete strangers made

sure a Mid-Michigan family would have a Merry Christmas despite a

few rough months.

We first met the family back in September. It had just

discovered its Grand Blanc Township home had a basement it didn't

know about.

A couple of months later, the family was forced to move out and into

a rental house because of toxic mold. Thursday, the family learned

the holiday spirit was alive and well.

They are Santa's helpers. But they're also complete strangers to the

family.

Grossi and several of her co-workers from Genesee County Adult

Probation adopt a family every year.

" I had seen the clip on TV12 and it just really stole my

heart, " she said.

It stole her co-worker's hearts as well. Just some of the gifts

under the tree this year include toys, a TV, cash and twin beds.

" Twin beds will be fantastic, " said Stacey . " That's what was

on one of my daughter's Christmas lists ... was a new bed. "

That's because right now two of the three daughters are

sharing a full-size bed -- one of the many items that have been

donated to the family since the mold was discovered.

" It's been a wakeup call, " Stacey said. " There are a lot of

good people that are willing to give us anything that they have. "

All that generosity has been a learning experience for the family

who says it's used to giving rather than receiving.

" I don't know if it dents your pride or if it just opens your eyes, "

Stacey said. " I'm not sure what it does. It feels good but

it's awkward. "

Awkwardness aside, the family is amazed at how complete

strangers have changed their lives.

" We're so thankful because we were ... we were very worried about

Christmas, " Stacey said. " But it's going to be a good

Christmas. "

Right now the es are in the process of suing the former owners

of their home.

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