117 Fire victims get a new home thanks to power of social media

Nearly a month ago, the Herbert family was one of the first to lose their entire home in the 117 Fire that tore through southern El Paso County last month.

After relying on the Red Cross and some community help they finally have a new home, all thanks to the power of social media.

The 117 Fire left the Herbert family with nothing but charred remnants.

“This is what we had left — our PT Cruiser — after the fire,” said Linda Herbert.

But little did they know a generous family from out of state would extend a helping hand.

“A wonderful family from California came and blessed us with our new home,” Linda said.

It’s a 37-foot-long camper, twice the size of the one they lost in the fire.

“We have a full walk-in closet in the back now. We have a beautiful queen-size bed which is also our slide out. We come around and have a TV, full dresser size. This has a bathroom,” Linda said.

The camper came from a family in California.

“For a family so far away to jump up a volunteer and help and donate it, with no strings attached, not looking for nothing in return it’s a blessing. It’s one of them where ‘Thank you’ isn’t enough,” Linda said.

We asked Peggy Cornn and her husband what made them want to drive all the way from California to help the Herberts.

“We didn’t see it as an obstacle; we just saw it as a job that needed to get done for a family that needed help. I asked my husband about it and he didn’t think twice about it,” Cornn said.

Jaytan, the Herberts’ grandson, says his worries are now long gone.

“I’m thankful that they came and gave us a new home so we don’t have to sleep in a car. I never thought we’d be this lucky and get this,” Jaytan said.

“You guys have been such a blessing in our life and we thank ourselves every day we came in contact with you,” Linda said to Peggy over the phone.

The Herberts say they’ll find ways to pay it forward.