Kids & Family

Neighbors Save Christmas For Family Whose House Was Ruined

The Walnut Creek family had returned from a funeral in South Korea to find the pipes inside their home had burst while they were gone

Thanks to their neighbors, the Kim family of Walnut Creek had a Christmas celebration after all.

Cho and Jenny Kim returned late last week with their two young children from Jenny's father's funeral in South Korea to an unwelcome surprise.

The pipes in their home on Los Cerros Avenue had burst while they were gone. A neighbor had noticed the running water and called authorities to get the water shut off.

However, the damage was done. The Kims found extensive water and mold damage inside the home they have been refurbishing for four years.

Jenny Kim told neighbors it looked like they wouldn't have the time or money to provide Christmas presents for their 3-year-old and 1-year-old daughters.

That's when the neighbors sprung into action.

Mary Ann Sams began contacting neighbors and Donald Meeker sent out an email through their "Next Door Neighbor" account, informing people of the Kim family's problems.

The neighbors responded in less than 48 hours.

When the Kims came by their house on Christmas Eve, there were presents waiting for the children.

Neighbors have also offered to help the family clean up the mess inside.

The Kims are staying at another home in the East Bay. Both Cho and Jenny Kim go to work during the day and then Cho comes to the house in the evening to work on repairs.

Meeker said the neighbors' response was gratifying but not surprising.

"People here are kind and generous," he said.

Sams agreed.

"This was like an old-fashioned barn raising," she said.

Jenny Kim responded with a heart-felt email to all the neighbors. In it, she said:

"I was so sad with all my tragedy things, but I saw some positive thought and hope from my neighbors' care and love."


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