Southeast Texas Family Needs Help Repairing Storm-Damaged Home

Hurricane season is less than two weeks away and yet some families are still living in homes damaged by Hurricane Rita.

One Southeast Texas family is in need of help two and a half years after the storm damaged its home - a home the government says is not safe for anyone.

It's not materials that hold this home together - it's love.  Every day the Sheffields find something to smile about, even though their Warren home is falling apart.

"This was a solid wall here," said Larry Sheffield.  He said this is one of the many places in his home that isn't sturdy anymore. When Hurricane Rita swept across the Gulf Coast two and half years ago, he and his wife Joyce rode out the storm here.

"It blew that door out of that patio and it just literally flooded all this in here," said Sheffield

Sheffield said FEMA gave him 52 hundred dollars to make repairs. He put plywood under the loose floors, painted over the leaking spots and patched up everything he could until the money ran out.

Sheffield said, "Every floor in the house, something happened to it."

He said it's liveable but hardly safe.

"They're givers and I don't know how many people they've helped, their neighbors, people all over Southeast Texas, and we're wanting to help them get back in their house," said Joe Crawford.

Crawford is the President of Matthews' Commission.  It's a Missionary organization. He's collecting items for an auction to help repair the Sheffields' home. However, they only have a dresser, some nic-nacs and a table and chairs.

"Take an opportunity to help a couple that's helped thousands of people over the years.  They have given their life to help other people.  They're helping other people in the condition they are now," said Crawford.

"I'm hoping that we receive some help and there's others that can get some help also," said Sheffield.

If you would like to donate items to the June 14 auction you can contact Matthews' Commission at 409-385-6483.

If you would like to donate money to the Sheffields' to help restore their home:

Texas State Bank

c/o Larry and Joyce Sheffield

Account Number 13008080

More Information About The Sheffield Family:

Right after the Hurricane, Mr Sheffield suffered from a heart attack and had to have open heart surgery, leaving him with a defibrillator and a pacemaker. 

Six months later, Mrs. Sheffield had to have a defibrillator and a pacemaker.  They are now on a fixed income and don't have the extra money it takes to do the repairs to make their home safe again.  Every month they decide what bills are the most imporant to pay...groceries, light bill, medical bills...etc. 

This family has spent their lives helping others.  They have a prayer line at their house, where they have seen as many as 109 calls in one day.  They teach childrens' church at Fletcher manual Church Live in Lumberton.  Also, they are members of the grocery mininstry.