INDIANAPOLIS — Home for the holidays.
An Indianapolis woman is getting a new home for Christmas after it was badly damaged in a fire this year. She stepped inside her new home for the first time this weekend.
Ms. Mary Brown is a staple in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood.
"Everybody knows who lives here," said Kenneth Moore. "Family, friends, neighborhood kids. They know Ms. Brown is gonna be here, or Momma Brown or whatever they want to call her."
Momma Brown hasn't been at her home since a fire damaged it.
"My grandson was home and he called and told me, 'GiGi, the house is on fire,'" Brown said.
The home her late husband gave her, where her kids grew up and a dream to one day fix up was destroyed. So, she prayed. Brown had insurance, and Jessica and Doug Warrix and their company, Husband for Hire, answered her prayers, rebuilding the home at no additional cost, adding several extras.
"She's probably one of the most unbelievable humans. She's like family to us," Jessica Warrix said.
Brown walked into her brand new home for the first time Saturday morning.
"When I say it's not the same house, it's not the same house," Brown said.
New kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom, living area, furniture and a Christmas tree.
"To see everything I prayed and talked to God about, I'll be able to be in the house and comfortable in peace," Brown said. "That's what I wanted, and that's what I have."
Peace of mind for her son.
"Spending the extra money that she just doesn't have now that she's at that older age of her life, so thanks to Doug and Jessica, she doesn't have to do that," Moore said.
A new home for Christmas.
"It makes us feel better that we did the work, it was done right, and she shouldn't have any issues now," Doug Warrix said.
Once again, the home will serve as a place for her family to gather this holiday season.
"The past is the present, and today is a gift, and that's really what I wanted to give her," said Jessica Warrix.