Fox 2 viewer helps Detroit family that lost everything - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

Fox 2 viewer helps Detroit family that lost everything

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Lia Threatt hugs expectant mother Brittani Sheffield.  (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com) Lia Threatt hugs expectant mother Brittani Sheffield. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
DETROIT (WJBK) -

Tuesday the story began in West Bloomfield with a makeshift assembly line loading gifts from Fox 2 viewer Lia Threatt.  She contacted us after seeing our story about the Sheffield family.

Brittani, John and Mariah Sheffield lost everything in a house fire they say was started by a jealous neighbor who just wanted to steal their stuff.  Instead of stopping it, they say most of the other neighbors jumped in, stealing everything they could carry.

"We saw our stuff on some of our neighbors' porches.  Some of our things that we had used to make our home," Brittani Sheffield said Monday.

Now there is good news.  We cleared out one of our live trucks and loaded in a bassinet, toys, a stroller, a high chair and a ton of baby clothes, then trekked back to Detroit.

"I just wanted you to know that I felt your pain and wanted to do what I could to help you guys.  Hang in there, keep your chin up, and it's going to be all right," Threatt told Brittani Sheffield.

"Thank you so much," she responded.  "It feels good to just know that everybody isn't trying to sabotage."

The Sheffields are pregnant with their second child, a baby girl due any day.  Everything from the baby shower was lost in the fire, but now Brittani Sheffield is getting back almost exactly what she lost, her own little Christmas in July.

The Sheffields say they have been overwhelmed by support, 35 calls the day the story aired on Fox 2.  Still, they say all that really matters is what they didn't lose in the fire and moving forward from here.

"We love our family.  We love each other, and we love God," said Sheffield.  "We love the help that we're getting, and we just want to move forward and be happy.  We really don't have time to hold grudges against people."

Fox 2 was also contacted by a non-profit company called Southwest Housing.  They say they want to help the Sheffields get into affordable housing so they can continue to rebuild their life.

If you want more information on how you can help this incredible family, visit www.facebook.com/sheffieldfamily.

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