By: Chris Cheng
KILLEEN – Just a few days after a deadly fire claimed three lives and left more than 34 people homeless, some members of the community have stepped up to help them out.
"I was just a couple of hours from having a nervous break down because what am I going to do on Monday, where am I going to go?"
Luckily, April Raines no longer has that problem thanks to a News Channel 25 viewer who came forward after watching our story, Friday night.
"I had to watch it twice and I had tears rolling down my face and something hit me and goes I need to help," Melody Branson said.
Branson tracked down April and her daughter, London, at the Killeen Community Center, Saturday, and invited them to live with her until they can get back on their feet.
"We came here Saturday and it's been wonderful, treating us like family and spoiling us. It's been wonderful it's been a huge load off my mind," Raines said.
Melody knew she had to help out after she was given a second chance by the community when she went through a similar situation.
"We had a tornado come through our area where we used to live and a tree branch fell and it fell on my back and broke my back," Branson said.
Despite being complete strangers just two days ago, the women admit to being best friends.
"It's been nice, it's been nice to have an actual female to talk to and we have a lot in common and it's surprising how comfortable it is. It's like I have known her my whole life," Branson said.
While April is happy to be getting the help she needs, she wants people to know there are still others out there.
"I am ok, I really don't need much, what I do need Ms. Melody has made sure that we have, so take care of my neighbors a lot of them don't have people like I do," Raines said.
If you would like to help out, the Salvation Army will be taking clothing donations.
Furniture for Families, off South WS Young Drive in Killeen, will be accepting furniture donations, and the Food Care Center in Killeen will be taking can goods for these families.
