Client Story: Laronda

Laronda, 31, kept the hat and shoes her grandfather wore when he died of a heart attack in 2018. She also saved as a memory his obituary and a T-shirt bearing his photo.

Laronda lost these mementos and everything she owned when a fire destroyed her Jernigan Gardens apartment on Dec. 12. The fire displaced 44 residents.

She and her three daughters, ages 6, 9 and 11, were not home when the fire broke out. Laronda said sadly her children lost their two pet guinea pigs in the fire.

“They were crying,” Laronda said. “They were petrified. They had made their guinea pigs their own TiKTok (social media account).”

Thanks to YOUR SUPPORT, Laronda’s spirits were lifted Friday when she came to The Mustard Seed and received home furnishings, clothing and new toys for her children for Christmas. Laronda relocated to a new apartment in Jernigan Gardens.

“I never knew I had so many supporters willing to reach out and help us,” Laronda said. “I got basically everything I needed to furnish my house. I’m very appreciative.”