Woodstock family reaches out to storm victims

A Woodstock family that had a tree fall through their house back in April is reaching out to help a Powder Springs family that is enduring a similar ordeal.

A 150-foot, red oak tree fell through the middle of Kimberly and James Miles’ Powder Springs home during a thunderstorm Sunday night. It narrowly missed their two children who were home alone watching television in the living room. No one was hurt but the split-level home was “totally destroyed” and the family has had to relocate to a nearby hotel.

That’s a scenario with which Jason and Betsy Menear can identify. The Woodstock couple had more than $100,000 worth of damage done to their Dials Drive home when a tornado sent a tree crashing through their roof late on the night April 19. Betsy Menear had just awakened their two children, 5-year-old Drew and 2-year-old Katie, and was heading downstairs to the basement when the falling tree obliterated the little boy’s room and much of the middle of the house.

“It would have been a different story if she hadn’t gotten them out of there,” said Jason Menear, who was at work at the time.

The Menears were out of their house for two months while repairs were done and say it was only through the kindness and generosity of others that they were able to endure. That’s why they contacted the Miles Monday afternoon in the hopes of donating goods and any advice they may need.

“You have to teach your kids that, in a situation like that, people help you but it’s important that you do the same for somebody else,” said Menear, 31, an IT specialist for Hewlett Packard. “We had been looking for somebody to help through the restoration company we used but when we heard about this family we knew what we needed to do.”

Menear said his son already has set aside for donation many of his toys, some of which he received in the aftermath of their ordeal.

“We received cash donations, gift cards, clothes, but one of the biggest things was the toys,” Menear said. “Most of Drew’s toys were gone in the tornado and, believe me, when you’re staying in a hotel, the kids are going to want some toys to play with.”

Kimberly Miles said she received a phone message from Menear Monday but hasn’t had a chance to call him back. Crews used a crane to remove the tree from the house late Monday to expose extensive damage. Miles plan to meet with insurance adjusters. She said they’ve been told they could be out of their house four to five months.

“It’s a nice gesture and very much appreciated,” Miles said of hearing from the Menears. “All my neighbors have been great, too. Everybody’s been so nice.”

Menear said his son is excited about the prospect of helping somebody else.

“He gets the experience of giving back,” Menear said.