The Howard Family
Kyle, the father and a Joplin fireman, was at work at the fire station during the storm and spent the first two hours after the tornado not knowing if his wife and kids had made it out alive. He made many stops along the way home, through the rubble, rescuing trapped victims and tending to injured members of the community. Meanwhile Jill and their children, Konnor, Korbin and Kaleb, huddled in a closet. A door landed on top of them, which they used to deflect the debris. This ultimately saved their lives. After the storm, they had no idea if Kyle was alive, but eventually the family, along with older son Keenan, who was out of town at the time, was reunited. Jill sustained minor injuries, but their home was completely destroyed.
The family's new home features a red top exterior and terrific stonework. Kyle's firefighter coat is put in a frame and mounted above the fireplace in the new home. It's been signed by all the workers. A door that once served as a protective shield now serves as a dining room table. The kids all get bedrooms to match their interests and personalities. The family also gets their very own storm shelter for any future emergencies.
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