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'I could never be more grateful' | Strangers organize effort to rebuild woman's home ruined in fire

Gail Pierce said she’s overwhelmed by how many strangers have offered to help her rebuild her home and reunite with her six grandchildren.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Strangers are stepping up to help a woman whose Arcade Avenue home caught fire on April 28.

Gail Pierce has lived in the home for 15 years, and it’s where she’s raised her six grandchildren. She doesn’t want to leave.

“My husband, he lived and died here,” she explained.

Pierce has been living in her van, while her kids are staying with family scattered across Kentucky.

“I have missed them to no end, and they miss me,” she said.

Her story aired on WHAS11 News, and has since inspired strangers to step up and find a solution.

“You know, it's just, the right thing to do,” said Rick Harkins, who owns a construction company. He was touched by Pierce’s story and went to the house to see what he could do.

“The kitchen is the biggest loss,” he explained. “Everything else in the house is just smoke damage and water damage.”

Pierce said it's tough to find an affordable home to fit her large family, and frankly, she’d prefer to stay in her own home.


“It would be a God's miracle. It would mean the whole world to me, the whole world,” said Pierce.

She said she's beyond thankful for those who are reaching out and offering their skills, their supplies and their time to reunite her family back under one roof.

“I couldn't be more grateful in my lifetime. I could never be more grateful.”

There's a lot of work ahead.

“Structurally, it's just the bones of the house in that area, electrical, plumbing and all that,” described Harkins.

Before they can rebuild, the house needs to be cleaned out.

“Just pick stuff up, I mean they can throw it out the window or throw it in the dumpster, just as long as it's out of the house,” he said.

Volunteers will have to wear masks, and work in shifts to abide by social distancing guidelines.

Pierce said moving back into her home is the dream, and Harkins is relying on the community to help make it a reality.

“It's a lot, a lot. And there's no way I would ever get it done unless it was a dream come true,” said Pierce.

If you would like to donate money, her family has set up a Go-Fund-Me account.

You can also donate to the rebuilding effort.

If plumbers, electricians, roofers, construction workers or contractors are interested in donating time or supplies, email helpPiercefamily@gmail.com.

Pierce’s story was shared on social media almost 3,000 times. She said she’s overwhelmed by how many strangers have offered to help take care of the woman who’s always caring for everyone else.

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► Contact reporter Heather Fountaine at hfountaine@whas11.com and follow her on Twitter (@WHAS11Heather) and Facebook.

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