A local employer gifts a local Beaufort family a new home after their house burned down in a fire about six months ago.
Back in June, a projector caught on fire in the family home of Chris Smith and spread fast, leaving the home in ruins. Chris, his wife Antoinette and their three kids got out safely, but it left them homeless.
On Friday, they walked into their brand new home in Beaufort, a gift from Chris’ employer, WingStop.
According to a report by WTGS Savannah, Chris said when they opened the door for the first time, they could not believe what they saw.
“Oh my God it’s mine!” he told WTGS with a laugh. “I cannot believe it, once again, just overjoyed, it’s a beautiful feeling and I thank everybody who had something to do with it,” he said.
“I knew there was light at the end of the tunnel, I just didn’t know how bright that light was,” Smith told WTGS Savannah.
When the company found out what happened, WingStop charities stepped in. They tore down the old house and put a brand new one in its place. Donnie Upshaw, Senior Vice President of People at WingStop, said they are all about giving back to their employees.
“Chris works really hard at Wingstop. I think he is a leader of his family, he inspires his kids, so this is just a small token that we can do to show our appreciation for what he does for our brand,” Upshaw told WTGS Savannah.
They had to walk away from their house left in shambles months ago, but they are back to make new memories in their new home.
“This home to me brought a lot of things together. It brought together family, even brought in my job. So I feel like this is a big day not only for us but for the company that I work for and it’s a beautiful thing,” Chris told WTGS Savannah.
Welcome home, Smith family.
Way to go, WingStop. A classy company, for sure.
