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HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. -- The community and friends came together to help out a military family in need after a fire destroyed their home. On May 8, a fire broke out in the garage of the Batts family home.

The family said it was a neighbor who saved their lives by honking a car horn and waking up the oldest daughter.

"The only thing I remember is my daughter coming in to the room and saying the house is on fire,” said Master Sgt. Rahem Batts. “I didn't want to believe it."

Batts says when he went downstairs, he could feel the heat from the garage and smelled smoke coming from the door.

“I evacuated the home in my pajamas,” said Batts. “My daughter and I had nothing but our pajamas on, not even shoes on our feet."

The only thing saved from the fire were the family's pets, while everything else was destroyed. Within days, the military found a home for the family and donations for clothes and everyday necessities started pouring in.

One volunteer with the organization, Army's Army, talked with her students who organized a penny drive fundraiser and raised almost $600.

"It is very touching and very heartwarming especially to see these military children on Fort Bragg and get so involved and really want to do something," said the Executive Director for Army's Army
Janine West.

Batts says a lot of support and kindness came from people he has never met who were willing to help a stranger.

"There is hope. People still care. these are great Americans in Fayetteville and surrounding communities and I am very grateful and thankful to all of them," said Batts.

While their possessions are mostly melted or in pieces of charred cinder, Batts wife, Latasha, says they gained something far more valuable.

"Everything we lost was substantial, but the lessons, the friends, the love and support that we gained far outweighs that," said Latasha Batts.

The Batts family says the experience has confirmed their faith in God for sending them the kindness of friends and strangers.

The family wished to thank everyone who donated and helped them out, here is a copy of their letter:

Gavin,
Thank you for thinking enough our family to air our story.  We would like to let our community know we appreciate them and love them.  Thank you for your support and prayers.
 
Red Cross
Chris Staham and Overhills Homeowners Association and the Overhills Creek Community
Hampton Inn in Spring Lake
Chaplain Spears
3rd SFG, FRG, and the entire Special Operations Community
Picerne Military Housing
Army Emergency Relief
Karen and Wayne at Cuppy's Coffee in Spring Lake
Monarch Cleaners
Zookeepers Pet Sitting
Lafayette Ford
Reed Lallier Chevrolet
Lee Hundai
Valley BMW
Tau Gamma Gamma and Beta Chi Chapters of Omega Psi Phi
Colonel Benton and Wife
CSM Meffert and Wife
Mr Bullard at Bullards Furniture
Fayetteville Cares
Army's Army
Mrs. Fredericks and her 2nd grade class and Overhills Elementary
St. Paul AME, Sumter SC
Pleasant Union Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC
Task Force Dagger Foundation
Martha Gabriel and Erwin Intermediate School
Cub Scout Troop # 776
Cary Reconstruction Company
Showcase Rebuilders, Fayetteville, NC
Troy University and Fort Bragg Staff
Campbell University
Dr. Maxwell, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Corey Mitchell at Shaw University
MJ Soffe
Many family members and friends
CSM Richardson and Family
CPT. Galbraith and Family
Major Herman Johnson and Family
Kardouni Family, Greene Family, Dixon Family, Dukes Family and all neighbors on Scotland Drive
 
We know we probably missed many people and businesses but we thank you from the bottoms of our hearts.  With our faith and our devotion to our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will recover. 
 
Thanks again,
 
Rahem and LaTasha Batts