Please help the Corn family rise like a Phoenix!

My girlfriend's son, Erik Corn and his family suffered a catastrophic event this past Saturday evening. Their home caught fire, and they barely made it out with their lives and the lives of their three dogs. They lost everything they owned. They did not even have time to grab shoes for themselves. The house and all of their belongings are a total loss. An event that only those who have experienced it can imagine.

I can tell you that we all experience loss and have a bad day. You may think, I can't wait to go home and get away from everything and sit on my couch, take a shower, brush my teeth, put on clean clothes, and even grab a snack or something to eat. Grab a drink from the refrigerator. You are in the safety of your home where you can relax and unwind. Now think about this: Your house catches fire, and you have to run out to save your own life and the lives of your family and pets. All you can do is sit and watch as everything you own is destroyed. That's what happened to Erik, Sarah, and their boys. No change of clothing. No couch to sit on. No bed to sleep in. Your pictures and things that you hold dear or passed-down mementos from your family. No toiletries. Not even a toothbrush. The money you had been storing under your mattress for a rainy day is burned up also. Not even time to throw on a pair of shoes. It's all gone. All of your possessions and the safety of the place you call home is no longer.

By God's grace, Erik and his family are safe. They sat on the neighbor's lawn across the street and watched helplessly. Many of their neighbors they did not even know came out to offer comfort, condolences, and just kindness in a time of need. People helping people like they should. And even as the fire was being put out, Mother Nature decided to throw a curveball and dropped an unannounced electrical storm and driving rain. In hindsight, maybe it was God's way of saying we're gonna wash you of this.

Physically, everyone is OK. Erik did have to go to the emergency room later in the evening for smoke inhalation but was treated and released about 4 a.m.

Erik rented the house from his mom, Diane Mann, just paying enough to cover the mortgage, taxes, and insurance for the structure. Diane was trying to help him financially so that he could maybe someday get ahead and provide for his small family that has endured many struggles. The house is insured, and the structure, Lord Willing, possibly covered. We have not heard from insurance yet, although we informed them of the fire when it happened. But because it is not a primary residence, none of Erik's or his family's things are covered.

Diane Mann has been a paramedic in Greenville County EMS for 17 years. She has touched many lives both personally and professionally, and there are many people that are still alive because of her. She is always doing for others with little regard for herself. Getting home late from 12+ hours on an ambulance and then staying up into the early morning hours, baking cakes for birthdays or bringing cookies just because. She helps out wherever she can. She recently took a community paramedic job with Greenville EMS as helping others has always been her passion. Ironically, a good portion of her new job is helping to deal with the homeless.

Erik and Sarah have dealt with many struggles. They have a pre-teenage son named Emmett, who was born with autism. Emmett is a very happy child who smiles a lot. He recently received a therapy dog that is still somewhat a puppy and in training. Emmett is very smart, but as you know with autism, it's very hard for him to express himself. Emmett is nonverbal and will probably face a lifetime of never being able to be left on his own, requiring lifetime care. He is constantly on the go and requires nonstop supervision. As with many people in general, especially with autism, he does not do well with drastic change.

They also have a four-year-old son named Theo. He's one of the smartest children I've ever met. Having conversations with him since he was two years old is like talking to an adult. He's been able to read since he was 2, and his problem-solving ability is remarkable. He is also like many young children and constantly on the go.

Erik, Sarah, Emmett, and Theo are currently in a state of shock. It's like an emotional roller coaster. The tears still come often along with the overwhelming feelings. What do we do? And where do we go from here? They've been in touch with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. One of the things that many people don't know (and it may be just in South Carolina) is that there are no family shelters, especially if you have pets. The family would have to be split up with Sarah going to a women's shelter with the boys and Erik going to a men's shelter. The dogs would have to go to a shelter of their own. They are currently staying in a hotel that will allow them to have up to two dogs. We are currently housing the other, but we have three dogs of our own also.

We have had many people ask what they can do, offering furniture and clothing and other things. One of the problems is that they don't have anywhere to store things. Once they are able to find a place to stay, they would graciously accept anything you may be able to offer.

At this point, they really need money and/or gift cards to get the basic essentials. Some clothing, toiletries, and food. To help pay for bills. Temporary housing. Getting enough money together for a house or an apartment. Keep in mind that many places require a credit check which, although they're good folks, their credit is still a work in progress. This will mean that they may need first month's rent, last month's rent, security deposit, as well as pet deposits. They may need some therapy to deal with what they've just dealt with. It's pretty traumatic to watch the place that you call home go up in flames with everything you own in it.

Nothing is guaranteed. Remember, yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That’s why they call it the present!

Anything you can do in the present would be a gift to Erik, Sarah, Emmett, and Theo!