Community Helps Family Rebuild House After Fire
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Updated: 6:56 AM Nov 4, 2007
Community Helps Family Rebuild House After Fire
A year after losing almost everything to fire, see how the McKinzie family leaned on their town to help them resurrect their home from the ashes.
Posted: 11:26 PM Nov 3, 2007
Reporter: Lindsay Shively
Email Address: Lindsay.Shively@wibw.com
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"Here's my personal favorite, two lazy suzans," says Sheila McKinzie.
She proudly gave tours of her new kitchen at an open house Saturday in Harveyville. It's a kitchen a long time in the making.

A year ago, her husband Gene stood by the rubble of his home. "The kitchen is gone, it cooked everything." He says when he woke up the night before, the roof was glowing and neighbors had already called 911.

The same neighbors that were there to call 911 were there all year long. They didn't just raise money to get the family back on their feet. They also lent helping hands, hammers, and listening ears.

Volunteers came out of the woodwork from schools, churches and businesses to help. And not just from Harveyville. Folks from Topeka, Burlingame and Eskridge helped out too.

Janet Reavis was there the day their house burned down. She even helped gather family photos and started a fund for the family. "I'm happy they have a nice place to live now."

Now the McKinzies are trying to get back to life as usual. "Thank you, thank you so much," says Sheila. "You've given us back our home."

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