(NAPSA)—Immediately after the tornado roared through Askewville, N.C., Ronald Jernigan and his wife, Christie, emerged from their bathtub, where they sat wrapped in a heavy bedspread for protection. Realizing that they had survived the storm and that their home was intact, Jernigan made his way to the front door to assess the damage of his mother’s home, which once sat across the street— it was no longer there. It was hard to imagine how anyone could have survived as he looked at a pile of rubble. Thankfully, Ronald quickly learned that his mother, Mattie Jernigan, brother, Paul Jernigan, and Paul’s girlfriend, Terry Pierce, had found refuge in the rear of the building. Ronald and Christie noticed that their home, built by Champion, had not only protected them but had fared better than most in the neighborhood. Christie saw how the tornado ripped through brick, site-built and other modular homes and how her family’s home had come through with all four walls and its roof generally intact. Still, the damage that the home had suffered allowed the ensuing torrential post-storm rain to damage the interior. Whenit came time to replace their home, Christie knew exactly what she wanted—her old house back. To find their replacement, Christie located a retailer, RC Homes, in Greenville, N.C., only to find that the floor plan of their home wasno longeroffered. “Given the circumstances, we wanted to build the Jernigans’ The Jerniganscredit their home’s construction for protecting them during the tornado. home as quickly as possible,” said Chris Miller, general manager of the Champion Homes plant in Lillington, N.C. “We were able to locate the old plan, haveit reengineered to meet the new codes and incorporate the changes requested.” Forty-five days later, the new modular home was delivered and set on its pre-poured foundation. Much of the furniture is new and the salvaged family pictures and heirlooms are back in their places. A sign that reads “Faith, Family & Friends” hangs once again on the wall as it did in the family’s old home. “As soon as the new house is back in working order,” said Ronald, “I will go fishing, and that Tuesday our family and friends will once again come over for our famous Tuesdayfish fry.” Champion offers a wide variety of factory-built solutions to fit every family’s needs—discover why the Jernigans and so many others choose Champion for their home. Visit www.championhomes.com for more information.
