When you think about “networking”, you usually think of social or business.  This is an example of a company’s network being used to help the family of one of their employees.

One of the amazing things about this story is how rapidly people responded to this family devastated by a house fire.

The first email below was sent out by the owner of Flora Landscapes, a landscaping company we’ve used since we moved to Wilmington, NC in 2010. It tells about a house fire at the home of one of their employees that occurred on 2/18. The email was sent to Flora Landscapes’ customers. The email below that of 2/19 shows the response of people rallying to help and the email after that of 2/21 shows the amazingly fast and generous response of people helping others in need.

Feb 18, 2015
Good Morning,

I write to you all this morning in response to a Flora Landscapes family tragedy. One of our employees, experienced a house fire yesterday morning that has left his family destitute. It occurred at 4:30 in the morning, and amazingly he, his wife, and their 3 children survived but are left with nothing but their car. They were in their pajamas and ran out of the house into ice and rain. It was a total loss.

The family is completely devastated and still in shock, but they are grateful to still have one another. The firefighters were amazed to see that they had made it out alive. So while they are trying to gather their lives, I look to you all to see how we can come together to support them during this extremely difficult time.

I will be collecting clothing and household items at our office. The clothing sizes are as follows:

Boy, Age Six, Size Six, Shoe Size 13
Girl, Age 8, Six 8, Shoe Size 12
Girls, Age 10, Size 10, Shoe Size 13
Mother, Size 12-14, Shoe Size 9
Father, Size Large, Pants 38×30, Shoe Size 9.

Winter clothing will be extremely helpful. They literally have no clothing other than what they were wearing.

In addition, they will also need linens, kitchen supplies, bathroom supplies, toys, cleaning supplies, and small appliances. We will accept all these things at the Flora Office.

For those of you who wish to donate money, please use the following link (link removed).

Thank you so much for being such an incredible group of friends to our business and our employees. I have seen how powerful we can be when we all come together, and it is a lovely phenomenon to behold.

I will keep you all posted of the family’s fight to overcome this hardship.

With Sincere Gratitude,

Flora Landscapes

Feb 19, 2015
Good Afternoon,

First of all… You All Are Amazing! I want you to know that in less than 30 hours, we have collectively furnished their next home and filled their kitchen, their bedrooms, bathrooms, living room, and clothed them.

They are astonished at the overwhelming kindnesses. They came in today and their children were DELIGHTED!!! You would have thought it was Christmas and at that point we really didn’t even have much for the kids. That is no longer the case…

I am asking that we put a hold on any more donation items for the time being so that we can make some time to go through everything.

But as the monetary donations are going to securing a new home for the family, please keep them coming! Every little bit goes a long way. For those of you who wish to donate money, please use the following link (link removed)

I am just so happy to see everyone come together in this way. You all give me a hope in humanity and pride in my community. Thank you all so much.

Deepest and Most Sincere Thanks,

Flora Landscapes

Feb 21, 2015
Good Morning!,

I am thrilled to report that in less than 72 hours, you all have helped the family generate enough funds to purchase a 3 bedroom mobile home, enough furniture to fill that home, a household of supplies, and clothing for the entire family. While the family is still in limbo waiting for documents to finalize, and they are still extremely shaken by everything that has occurred, but they are going to be just fine.

Thank you so so much for everything. There may be some thises and thats that come up once they are in, and I will certainly keep you all posted, but the outpouring of love, support and generosity has been overwhelming.

I have had 3 family members lose their homes to either fire or hurricane. I have seen the power of the kindness of others and sheer selflessness of spirit, but nothing could have prepared me for the incredible response we have received. I am truly humbled. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.,

With Deepest Gratitude and Love,

Flora Landscapes