A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help a Virginia family rebuild their home after it was ripped apart by a tornado Sunday. Gary Fink, a former marine and Lynchburg Police officer, managed to usher his five kids and his wife, Leecy, to safety before it was too late. Tragically, everything they owned was lost in the storm.
‘Not a Page Destroyed’: Family Bible Only Thing to Survive Devastating House Fire
According to WSET-TV, the worst of the storm damage occurred in Lynchburg, west of Liberty University and downtown Lynchburg.
Praying for all those affected by the severe weather this weekend including, our local Lynchburg community. "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge…" – Psalm 91:4
— Liberty University (@LibertyU) April 16, 2018
Images posted on the GoFundMe page show the devastating extent of the damage inflicted by the massive tornado on the family’s home.
But there is hope! After Amy Loughhead Moore, a family friend, set up the fundraising page online, support has been pouring in.
“This family who does so much for so many people needs our help,” Moore writes on the page’s description.
The Fink’s have been utterly overwhelmed by the financial and spiritual support they have received from across the nation. “Our family is grateful beyond words for the outpouring of kindness, love and support shown to us,” Leecy told Faithwire. “While no one ever anticipates a disaster like we experienced, the goodness of God’s people has been so encouraging and kept us going. God protected my family, my community and will see us through as we rebuild.”
The page also details some more about this faith-filled family’s personal situation, including the information that Leecy is in the midst of an arduous battle with cancer.
“Gary is a police officer for the Lynchburg PD. Leecy has battled metastatic breast cancer for quite some time and is nothing short of a miracle herself. They would give anyone the shirt off of their back. They have lost everything- their home, their cars, their RV, their clothes, their personal belongings.
They were finally able to leave their neighborhood just a short time ago after they were picked up and the roads had finally been cleared enough to get a car through. They left with only the clothes on their backs and they were soaking wet. They have no car to get anywhere but are being brought a car to borrow tomorrow.
They will be staying with friends tonight and the family will be taking it one day at a time. Gary, Leecy, and their five children have amazing strength in God and know that He will get them through. Please help this family if you are able. No amount is too small and if you are unable to donate monetarily, please pray for this amazing family.”
Leecy has been posting updates to Facebook, keeping friends and family in the loop regarding their current situation.
https://www.facebook.com/leecyfink/posts/10216396554452182
Leecy shared Monday that the family is “already making a gameplan to rebuild.”
“Thank you all for so many generous offers,” she added. “We are so so grateful. We don’t know what we need at this point. We couldn’t find anything that we could salvage.”
Leecy also explained how the family managed to survive the massive tornado.
“We were in the basement under the stairs,” she wrote on Facebook. “Three of our five children and our dog were w my husband and I. Our adult children were safe elsewhere. God protected my family tonight as He always does.”
“Please pray for our community, our amazing first responders and everyone as we rebuild,” Leecy added. “There is no greater place on earth to raise my family than in this precious community. Your love for our family astounds me tonight. We are grateful. So so grateful.”
For those in the Lynchburg area…if you would like to help with the shelter @trbc or with the cleanup our teams will have underway throughout the region beginning tomorrow, please call 434-592-6100.
— Jonathan Falwell (@jonathanfalwell) April 16, 2018
“Lynchburg Police Officer Gary Fink and his family lost their home and belongings in last night’s tornado,” wrote The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation on Twitter Monday. “Please help them recover through the GoFundMe campaign.”
So far, the GoFundMe page has raised upwards of $43,000, and hundreds of people continue to flood the page with support and prayers. An update posted to the page Monday read, “The support shown thus far to this beautiful family is overwhelming. There is still so much good in this world. Thanks to each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts.”
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10216401824503930&set=a.1842392505302.108236.1405285142&type=3&theater
“Friend of a friend praying for you and wishing your family all the best as you rebuild. Your bravery is incredible,” one person commented on the page. “Praying for your family! Love you Officer Fink, one of Lynchburg’s Finest!!!” another added.
You can donate to the GoFundMe campaign here.