At Thanksgiving, it is commonplace to remember those things that we are thankful for. For the Hutchinson family living on Matthews Road in the Matthews Community in Jones County, they are simply thankful to be alive to celebrate Thanksgiving this year after losing everything they owned, including their home, during the Easter Sunday tornadoes. Mike and Fran Hutchinson nearly lost their daughter Jessica Hutchinson when the tornado struck their home leaving Jessica critically injured. The journey for them and Jessica's four children has been one that has been filled with obstacles overcome and blessings from people they didn't even know who stepped up to help the family.
Fast forward to today when another need of the family became a blessing received. When it became known that the family didn't have a Christmas tree and probably wouldn't be able to have one this year, Jones County Sheriff Joe Berlin posted a quick note on Facebook asking if anyone could help a deserving family needing a Christmas tree. The response was immediate and within minutes anonymous donors had provided funds to purchase the family a pre-lit Christmas tree along with donated ornaments which JCSD Sergeant Adam Cochran delivered to the family.
Sheriff Berlin notes, "During this time of the celebration of Thanksgiving, it is heartwarming to know that when a need is made known, Jones Countians show up and show out to help people they don't even know. Hopefully this act of kindness exhibited through providing the Hutchinson family with a brand new pre-lit Christmas tree and ornaments will make their Christmas much brighter. There is indeed much to be thankful for and a big part of that is living in Jones County where people really do care about others."