Westfield family seeks help for fresh start

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Kacia Payne’s seven children, ranging in age from 2 to 13 years old, are currently living with family while she gathers money to search for a new home and vehicle. (Submitted photo)
Kacia Payne’s seven children, ranging in age from 2 to 13 years old, are currently living with family while she gathers money to search for a new home and vehicle. (Submitted photo)

By Mark Ambrogi

A Westfield family is seeking help to get a fresh start after lightning strike on July 12 forced them to leave their home.

Kacia Payne, 36, has seven children, six girls ranging from 4 years to 13 years old, and a 2-year-old boy. She married Jorge Sanchez three years ago.

The family of nine was living in Payne’s grandfather’s townhouse when it was struck by lightning, causing a fire.

“I was in a bad situation in Florida and moved five years ago to live with my parents,” Payne said. “About a year-and-a-half ago, they moved out to one of my grandfather’s other properties in Westfield. My grandfather was letting us live there rent-free until we got back on our feet and then we were going to pay rent. When the lightning struck, the attic caught fire. The walls had to be ripped up to get to the fire. It was raining on the lower level through the roof.”

Fortunately, the family was able to save most of its belongings so clothes are not an issue. Her grandfather had homeowners’ insurance, but they did not have renters’ insurance.

“He’s going to be 90 in November, so he wants to go ahead and sell the house after repairs,” Payne said. “We’re stuck where we’re not making enough money to get our own place. If we had six more months, we wouldn’t be in this situation. My husband is still not making much money because he doesn’t have his (mechanic) certification yet.”

Sanchez has finished a two-year school program to become an aircraft mechanic. He still has to pass his final exam before he can get his certification and the bump in pay.

The family is currently staying with her parents in cramped quarters of a condo in Westfield. Payne said they need money for down payments to rent a place or get utilities. In addition, a half-bus, the only vehicle they have to of fit all the family members, broke down four months ago and they don’t have the money for anyone to look at it.

“We are starting from scratch,” Payne said. “Perhaps if the community knew, someone will say I’m thinking of renting my place.

Payne said so many peopled asked how they could help so she started a Payne Sanchez Family Fresh Start gofundme account to help. In the first five days, $1,880 was raised by 24 donations.

Payne said they used their income tax to pay all their debts off so they could work on their credit. Payne said it takes $900 to $1,200 to pay for food for the large family.

“They’re a wonderful, warm caring family,” said Kay McMullen, a Carmel resident. “They love their children dearly.”

To read more about family or to donate, visit http://m.gofund.me/6x5n6xuu7c.


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