After surviving a tornado that destroyed their family home on Friday night, friends and family of Brad and Cheryl Haywood are now rallying together to help the couple rebuild.
Brad and his grandson were inside taking cover when one of three tornadoes hit their trailer home. The force of the hit had the home roll several times while Brad held tight to his grandson.
“They rolled with the home and both sustained injuries. Brad received a few cuts while his grandson fractured his arm,” said friend Kohl Prigge.
Preliminary reports from the National Weather Service Ft. Worth stated as many as three tornadoes hit Fannin County on, Apr. 24 with the most severe being rated as an EF2 with winds up to 120 mph. The tornadoes started just West of Hwy 78 and North of FM 1396 and traveled East for approximately six miles.
Although the eastern part of the county fared reasonably well, it was believed by officials only one of the three tornadoes cause significant, if any, damage. The one that hit the Haywood’s home also caused substantial damage to several other structures.
Now Prigge, along with other friends, has started a GoFundMe page to help raise money for the family as all their belongings were destroyed when the home fell.
“They were able to get some of their belongings, but obviously when terrible weather hits things cannot be found, but they can for sure be replaced,” said Prigge.
Prigge said that the Haywood’s are the kind of people who are always there for others and would give the shirt off their back to help someone even if it was the only shirt they had. This spurred him to start the GoFundMe page to help them slowly get back on their feet and return the kindness that he has seen them bestoe to others.
He began the online fundraiser page on Sunday, Apr. 26, with a goal of $5,000. As of Tuesday, Apr. 28, the page had raised over $7,000 for the Ivanhoe family.
Prigge said that he has already been able to withdraw money for his friends, so they can get items that are needed to help get them by for the time being.
The Haywood family does have a place to stay. However, it is still a task to see just how much they can salvage from the devastation that sits where their home used to.
“Brad is one of the most selfless men I know, and I know that he and his wife are totally grateful for everything and would like to say thank you for looking, sharing, and even donating to help them out,” said Prigge.
To donate to the Haywood family to help them get back on their feet, CLICK HERE.
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