ANGUILLA, Miss. (WJTV) – Seven Rolling Fork families, who lost their homes to a devastating tornado in March 2023, celebrated a fresh start as new homeowners.

“It’s a blessing that they came through to help us, because without them and without the good Lord, you know, there is no telling where we would be,” said Margaret Anderson, who received a new home on Friday.

The families were given new, fully furbished mobile homes in Anguilla. The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi and nonprofits have been crucial in purchasing the homes.

“It takes a lot of work. It takes a lot of evaluation of what their needs are. You know, do they have a place or do they not have a place? Where are you staying? Trying to find them stoves or refrigerators and beds and couches. It takes a lot of legwork on the ground to make sure that this is successful,” said Pam Chatman, director of Boss Lady Economic Planning Development.

The homes were possible thanks to a donation of more than $35,000. Retired General Samuel Nichols, Jr., and his wife, Linda, donated $28,000.

“It’s about taking care of God’s people, just great American citizens. Having served the U.S. military for almost 40 years, you see different things throughout the country. People who have and the have nots, and the people who have not are the people who should have just like anybody else. So, this was the very simple, just to raise money, to give these people hope to go on,” said Nichols.

FEMA also played a large part in helping to assist the tornado victims. The new homeowners are grateful for a new place to call home and those who made it possible.

“We just want to thank everybody that has done what they have done for us from emergency management people, that gave us the information we needed to have. And like I said, FEMA and all of their workers. And it’s just been a blessing. And I just thank God for every last one of them. They were so loyal and so kind to us. You know, people don’t have to be kind to you. But they were so kind to us,” said Martha Morris, who received a home.

A $6,000 check was also donated out of Australia.