Fee Hedrick Family Entertainment Group

WVLT TV Knoxville, TN - Many families took flight into East Tennessee to escape Hurricane Katrina.

Two of those families ended up in Pigeon Forge..little did they know what they would find , until they met the owners of the comedy barn theater.

WVLT Volunteer TV’s Alan Williams has the story.

In television video of the miles of cars leaving New Orleans before the storm, were two families headed north.

“I’ve got a wife and two small children so i figured it was best to get out,” Stephen Tassin said.

Little did they know they’re lives would forever change by driving to East Tennessee.

As the storm approached, Shane Boudreaux, and Stephen Tassin along with their two little girls and wives pulled into the Comedy Barn Theater in Pigeon Forge as a distraction from all the turmoil.

That was just the beginning.

“They took us in and put us up quite thankful for that,” he said.

With not much but the clothes on their backs, these two familes , 20 people in all were given shelter in two mountain chalets, and a fist full of show tickets , courtesy of the comedy barn.

Glued to the TV set, they watched in almost horror what was left of their city.

“I’m a real type A personality, I’m at a loss. I don’t know the next step,” Boudreaux said.

“Where my kids are going to school,” Boudreaux said.

“We’re in denial, we don’t want to believe that’s happening, the reality of it is, I don’t know if we have a house. We both work, but how are you going to work, if there’s no office building,” Tassin said.

In due time these families will leave Pigeon Forge to return to Louisiana, but they’ll never forget generosity of one group of East Tennesseans.

“Southern hospitality has been known for centuries and we’re happy to carry on that tradition,” Comedy Barn owner David Fee said.

The Comedy Barn also donated $10,000 dollars to the Red Cross to help in their relief efforts. Meanwhile… Those who did not flee Hurricane Katrina are in need of fresh water. Here’s your chance to help them out.

WIVK will be collecting water at the Super Walmart on Chapman Highway Wednesday morning starting at nine.
Original Story:
http://www.volunteertv.com/Global/story.asp?s=3786594