Shortly before Easter, a family was traveling down Interstate 75, leaving the North in an effort to find work. The vehicle they were traveling in broke down near Perry and the family was told the car wasn’t worth fixing.

Homeless, jobless, without a vehicle, the mother and father and their three children, ages 2, 5 and 7, eventually ended up at the Perry police station.

It was as if an angel in heaven was leading them to angels on Earth.

At the police station, the family met Sgt. Mike Hamsley, who, among his other duties, is in charge of distributing aid to those in need. Vouchers for motel rooms and food are provided by the Perry Pastors Association.

So the family was housed in a local motel and began searching for jobs.

Without a car.

The mom found a part-time job and began to walk every day from the hotel near the interstate to The New Perry Hotel in downtown Perry. When the mother was working, the father went out searching for employment.

A full-time job opportunity at Davis Oil Co. came along for the dad about three weeks ago. Employees have been so impressed with this man and his willingness to do anything to provide for his family that they too have offered to help.

One co-worker takes the father to work, another runs by and picks the children up for school.

And as the angels in heaven conspire with the angels on Earth to help this family, a home has been found.

It’s not much, and it is completely empty. But according to those who have been helping this family get back on its feet, the family is completely grateful to have a roof over their heads.

The family members moved into the mobile home with literally the clothes on their backs.

Sgt. Hamsley and his wife, Kathy, are leading the effort to help furnish the family’s home. The family needs just about anything and everything, from toys and clothes for the kids to a stove and a car.

Just think about all the things you have in your home, the items we all take for granted every day. The glass in the kitchen, the rug by the door, the sheets on the bed.

This family has none of that.

“Everything has been so overwhelming for them,” Kathy Hamsley said. “It would have been for me, too. I have never not had a place to sleep or food to eat. Even if those things had happened to us, we have family to help us.”

This family needs us, the people of Houston County, to become their extended family.

To donate items or funds for this family, contact Sgt. Mike Hamsley at 987-0806 or hamsley1134@windstream.net

Contact Alline Kent at 396-2467 or allinekent@cox.net.