When the Shooting Creek home of Stanley and Kathy McConnell burned to the ground on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 17, the couple never dreamed how much they would end up feeling blessed. Those blessings are helping them get through losing the home they built together 38 years ago.
“We’re overwhelmed with the outpouring of kindness and love,” Kathy McConnell said on Monday. “Not just from friends, but from strangers, the fire department and churches. My husband said people were trying to hand him money as he stood by the burned house.”
In addition, a family friend started a Go Fund Me page for the family’s immediate needs. The fund-raiser had collected more than $18,000 when the donation page was closed. They have received so many clothes, shoes and other items, they could not use everything. “We kept what we can use and are paying it forward to others who need them,” McConnell said.
In addition to the house fire, Kathy had just started having cancer treatments out of town when their house burned. She had the second treatment last week. The lifelong Clay County resident has had to take some time off work as she goes through treatment, but normally works full-time at TriCounty Community College. She said the college has supported her family through the loss of their home. “Right now, we are staying at a friend’s house and doing fine,” she said. Their needs are being met from many places. “It’s the Lord,” she continued. “He is providing for us, for the rest of our needs. He always does.”
The McConnells’ daughter, Brittney, needed a computer to continue working from home. A friend from Atlanta brought an Apple desktop to use for her graphic design work until she can purchase a replacement computer. Shooting Creek Fire Chief Pete Trocchia said the community gave $500 to the family through the fire department.
Trocchia said his department, as well as the fire inspector believe a space heater was the probable cause of the fire. “The inspector took the heater with him when he was here,” Trocchia added. “He is pretty certain that is what caused it.”
Kathy said she and her husband of 42 years will be rebuilding on the same land, but behind where their other house was. “There were a lot of memories in that house,” she said. “It has been a big week in our lives. I don’t have enough words to say to our community how grateful we are.”