Refugio (KIII news) — A Refugio couple got the surprise of a lifetime Wednesday, and they needed the good news since they lost their house to Hurricane Harvey.
Thanks to a collaboration between more than a dozen charities the Lerma family now has a new home stocked and ready for move in.
"I really didn't think that it was going to be this nice you know a brand new home see that was a big surprise," Juana Lerma said.
Almost eight months after Hurricane Harvey Juana and Ernesto Lerma are walking into their new home.
"It was wonderful. a lot of people showed up, and we want to thank each and every one of them," Juana said.
The manufactured home is complete with a ramp, furniture, and a fully stocked pantry thanks to the Coastal Bend Food Bank and 14 other non-profits.
"Construction estimators, volunteers funders who will provide for those housing for those who are totally wiped out," said Beth Tatum, President of the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group.
According to Tatum, there are a lot of steps in long-term recovery that take a long time.
"The first thing is to find those that are vulnerable in our society. that are not going to be able to recover," Tatum said.
The Lerma's had just finished building a new mobile home when the hurricane destroyed their home.
"And then Harvey said he didn't like it the way it was so he said he was going to give me a new one so he will," Juana said.
Even though the Lerma's were denied by FEMA, the group reached out and got help from people around the country to make this day possible.
The couple said they would be forever grateful.
"It's wonderful," Ernesto said. "I mean what else can you say There's not too many people going around the town saying hey you want a mobile home I got one."
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