High Socks For Hope: The Johnson Family by Judy Holland

We would like to show you some of the families that we have helped in the last two years. The Johnson family are one of the first families that we met and wanted to help. Below is the profile page taken off Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa's page.

Robert and Mandy Johnson live in Brookwood, Alabama. They have a total of 6 children between them. Their youngest is Anthony, who has DeGeorge Syndrome, a disorder caused by a defect in chromosome 22. (The disorder causes a variety of medical problems such as heart defects, behavioral disorders, a compromised immune system, loss of hearing, cleft palate, hypoparathyroidism and other serious conditions.)

On April 27th at 5 AM, a tornado ripped through Coaling, Alabama, approximately 8 miles from where the Johnsons lived.When the storm passed, Robert headed to Coaling to help clear debris and help with rescue efforts. He kept hearing reports that more bad weather was on its way, so later that afternoon he headed home to gather his family and head to the tornado shelter located on his neighbor’s property. There were 15 people and 2 dogs crammed into the tiny storm cellar. The cellar had a series of 2 doors, the first of which was ripped off the hinges by the wind. It took 2 teenage boys and 2 grown men to keep the 2nd door closed. Robert recalls the wind roaring and debris and dirt flying into the space. The children were all crying and screaming. Everyone was terrified. When the wind had stopped, they all emerged from the cellar to find complete devastation. Everything the family had was gone. Their home was a pile of rubble and their vehicles were mangled.

This was all that was left of the Johnson's home. They lost everything they owned including their cars.

This was an extremely difficult time for the whole family, but especially for Anthony, who needs his familiar surroundings to feel safe and secure. After living in a small camper for about a month, then moving temporarily into an apartment, then renting a home in Brookwood, the Johnson family are finally living in their new Habitat home.

Their new home was built by Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa with the help of High Socks For Hope Inc., Northport Church of Christ, Nick's Kids Fund, ST Bunn, Dempster Family Foundation, Bama Concrete and several other local companies.The family finally moved into their new home in October 2012.

Anthony asked for a baseball room and was thrilled at all his new things! Anthony met Terry Saban at a Christmas dinner in 2011 and became her fan for life. Nick and Terry Saban signed a football for Anthony's new room. It is also filled with baseball memorabilia from David Robertson and Ryan Dempster.

Bob Johnson and Robert Johnson at the dedication. Bob never gave up on the Johnson family and worked hard to make sure they had a new home. Thank you Bob for your dedication to help Tuscaloosa rebuild.

Justice's room is filled with girly things and she loved it!

The Johnson family in front of their new home September 2012

Robert Johnson. David Robertson, Erin Robertson, Mandy Johnson, Justice Herren, and Anthony Johnson at a Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa Thanksgiving luncheon in November 2011

The Dempster Family Foundation 22 Q Mystery Tour Bus stopped by in

June 2012 to visit and see the house in progress.

How are the Johnson's doing now?

Robert, Mandy and Anthony Johnson are still loving their home in Brookwood. Anthony has so much room to play inside and out. Robert and Mandy Johnson volunteer their extra time with the Brookwood Volunteer Fire Department. Anthony who is now in middle school is thriving and playing baseball just like his hero David Robertson. After all the trauma and the uncertainty the Johnson family are doing wonderful. They now have a basement that their entire family can come to during a tornado. They sleep in the basement whenever there are tornado warnings in Tuscaloosa.....and they feel safe.