IRVING — Inside a U-Haul truck, the Jessel family found a warm response to the rude welcome that broke their hearts last week.
The truck was packed with furniture, including a brand-new recliner, an almost-new sofa and a slightly-used washer and dryer.
In all, there were enough donations to fill a whole house.
And they were truly needed, because the Jessels' house is bare. All of their possessions were stolen when they left them in a locked trailer overnight, after having just moved to Irving from El Paso.
Last week, Keith Jessel gave News 8 a tour of all the places they had planned to put their furniture. “We were going to put our family pictures on this wall," he said, pointing to the empty space.
Much of what the Jessels lost can never be replaced, but since their story aired on News 8 last Thursday, North Texans have been trying.
Victim Relief Ministries took about 50 calls offering help that night, and about 100 the next day. She set up a route, and sent a crew out in the U-Haul to collect donations.
The Jessels, who are staying with relatives, have already received a few of the gifts.
“They showed us some of the stuff they picked up, and my husband broke out and he was crying," Billie Jessel said. "I wanted to cry.”
The Jessels, with three young children, are getting far more than they need, so Victim Relief asked donors for permission to share. More than 90 percent said "yes," and that’s good news — every day, another victim needs help.
“Just this week, we had someone's home burned down,” said Victim Relief spokeswoman Virginia Grounds.
Out of the Jessels' tragedy come many blessings; a child's smile, a mother's thanks.
“So many people care," Billie Jessel said. "It changed my ideas on a lot of things.”
E-mail greaves@wfaa.com
