ADAIRSVILLE, Ga. (WXIA) -- The Smither family went through a devestating automobile accident, and as if that wasn't enough, two months later, a strong tornado tore through the family's property.
The back to back disasters left the family in urgent need of assistance.
What Sabrina Smither said they needed most was to offset the toll of buying gas to drive from Adairsville to the Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta -- a round-trip of 102 miles that the family must take three times a week.
Shawn Smither was paralyzed in the auto accident, and he requires specialized therapy which he receives at Shepherd.
Also on the family's needs list -- a special wheelchair ramp so Shawn can get into the house and a new furnace to replace one that was failing and already unable to provide heat to the upper floors.
Vendors came forward to help.
11Alive's Bill Liss contacted the two gas stations closest to the Smither family's Adairsville home.
QuikTrip is providing a $500 gift card for free gas, while Kangaroo Gas owned by The Pantry are providing gift cards.
For the special wheelchair ramp, building supplies and a new furnace, Liss and the 11Alive Help Desk contacted The Home Depot.
Home Depot's Cartersville store stepped forward to provide all the materials and the expertise to build a wheelchair ramp, in addition to providing building supplies for the inside of the home, where a volunteer contractor will supervise the work.
The Home Depot is partnering with ARS Universal Heating & Air to take care of the furnace. A new Lennox furnace will be installed in the Smither home.
Tied to all this is a major community effort to help the Smither family. Volunteer contractors and workers, all pitching in under the guidance of Rev. Richard Webster of the Adairsville Baptist Church.
It's an effort that truly shows a city coming together to extend a helping hand to one of their own.