FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) — Officials with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department are going above and beyond, Wednesday, for a family who lost everything in a fire.
Two grandparents have been struggling to care for 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren after their house caught fire. Grandmother Doris Reed said it’s tough to care for her family without proper resources. “It’s rough. It’s really rough,” said Reed. “Especially when you don’t have a lot of income. You don’t have a lot of resources.”
Fort Lauderdale PD delivered some much needed supplies Wednesday to the Reed family. “I never thought I’d look at TV. I see these families struggling, and I see them getting help and for us. Oh, my God, all of them,” Doris said tearing up.
The grandfather, John Reed, cannot work because of an injury. “Whenever I catch an outside job, I go get it.” he said. “That’s basically the way we are living right now.”
About two weeks ago, Fort Lauderdale Police officer Robert Norvis was checking in on the Reed family for a routine Department of Children and Families check and noticed the 13 children were depending on their two grandparents.
That’s when Norvis decided to take action and help the family. “Whatever the circumstances are, she’s trying to help support them, so we figured we’d give a little help,” he said. “It’s all about the kids. You know, adults have their minds either way, but the kids, they don’t know any better. You gotta give ’em a chance.”
Fort Lauderdale police took to social media to ask for help in getting the family clothes, toys and food. When police arrived, the family was overcome with emotion. “From the bottom of my heart, I didn’t know people do these kinds of things and care that much,” said the grandfather John Reed. “I guess you live and learn, and I’m learning today. I’m very grateful.”
Along with the clothes and the toys for the children, a refrigerator and three air conditioning units were also donated. “It came from everywhere,” Norvis said. “It doesn’t really matter where you’re from, you still help somebody.”
If you’d like to help this family, you can contact:
Fort Lauderdale Fraternal Order of Police
735 N.E. 3 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
RNorvis@fortlauderdale.gov
954-527-2606
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