Montgomery family with nine children surprised with a van and other donations
Several weeks ago we told you about a Montgomery woman who has been raising her seven nieces and nephews, along with her own two children, after her sister’s tragic death last May. On Saturday, the Johnson family received a special early Christmas gift. It was a surprise that felt like a Christmas miracle.
When Ray Ingram, the owner of Jack Ingram Motors in Montgomery, heard that Kirsten Johnson had to walk to her job at the Dollar Tree every day because the family was without a car, he wanted to help.
“We’re just really very happy we could help Ms. Johnson with this. She certainly has a challenge here with nine children. It’s what Christmas is all about, isn’t it?” said Ray Ingram.
Kirsten Johnson says she is overwhelmed by his generosity. “It’s such a (weight) lifted off me, because I don’t have to walk anymore. I don’t have to pay for Uber or Lyft anymore. The kids don’t have to walk back-and-forth to school anymore in the cold and stuff, and now we have a dependable, warm vehicle that we can get back-and-forth in and we can get back to doing those family activities that we were used to doing, that we couldn’t do because we didn’t have transportation,” said Johnson.
Johnson and the nine children recently moved from a two bedroom house where they lived with her mother into a four bedroom rental home nearby. Johnson says she is relieved they finally have the space needed, so her seven nieces and nephews will not go into foster care. Because of the number of children in the home, Alabama’s Department of Human Resources required the Johnsons to have at least four bedrooms or they would not have been able to stay together.
“The kids have their own beds. They have their own space. The girls are in two rooms. The boys are in a room. I’m in my own space now, so it’s amazing. Everyone has been able to be in our own space, and we’re not crowded and we’re not on top of each other anymore,” said Johnson.
Charles Lee who founded the non-profit That’s My Child and Ashley Gilbreath with A Better Montgomery have rallied local businesses and worked tirelessly to help the Johnson family get furniture and other necessities for their new home.
“I’ve had emails – more than I would know what to do with. Phone calls, text messages, the Go Fund Me account has exploded. People have, the city has, loved on this family, and I have met people that I would’ve never met before that are just here to give,” said Gilbreath.
“You just thank God that now the kids will be able to have a great, safe & warm place to enjoy. A nice car to get back-and-forth in. This is what Christmas is all about. This is what Jesus is about. Us coming together & loving each other. Black and white making it happen, and so we’re just thankful,” said Lee.
“This will be our first memory. And it’s going to be amazing to see the kids’ faces when they get to open up all their gifts. And of course I get to cook, and I’m excited about that! I have a nice kitchen where I can cook now, so I’m just excited for the whole family to come together for Christmas,” said Johnson.
Even though this will be the children’s first Christmas without their mother, Johnson knows her sister Lakeshia would be so touched at the love and generosity pouring from the Montgomery community.
“She would be in tears because this is something that she never would have thought could happen for us as a family. She would be in tears, but they would be tears of joy like I’m crying right now. They would be tears of joy. The community has been awesome, and I know I can’t thank everybody individually, but I want to tell everybody that is watching this thank you so much and I love you Montgomery,” said Johnson.
If you’d like to find out more about the Johnson family’s journey leading up to today or how you can help them, click here.
