Fee Hedrick Family Entertainment Group

WBIR Knoxville, TN - A Louisiana family came to Pigeon Forge in search of a temporary haven. What they found feels more like heaven.

“Whatever I can do for you, whatever you need, what do you need, what can we do
and that’s how it was from the whole community,” says Daniel Lambert, a
refugee from a small town about 40 miles outside of New Orleans.

Lambert’s extended family, including his wife, child, sister and nieces and at
least eight other families have free places to stay and free tickets to
Sevier County attractions, thanks to a guy who owns some of them.

“Not only are we perfectly willing to help. There are so many people that
want to help,” says David Fee, owner of the Comedy Barn Theater and
Black Bear Jamboree.

Fee put up Lambert’s family and convinced some local chalet and hotel owners to do the same for others seeking comfort in the wake of Katrina.

“We’re business leaders in our community and we have an awful lot of friends and this is a great town and we’ll do what we can to help people starting with shelter, food and if they’re going to be here a while, jobs,” says Fee.

“It’s been comforting,” says Lambert. “You see this on TV then you go out on these
streets and see how much the people here care.”

Some locals even brought the refugee families homemade food. Lambert says they’ve been so overwhelmed by the show of generosity and support, they are
seriously considering moving here.

“This is the kind of community we want to be a part of. My sister is out today looking at schools for her daughter,” says Lambert.

And that daughter, a high school senior, is fine with it.

“If I could pick a place, I wouldn’t pick anywhere else. It’s just fantastic and so welcoming,” says Christina Buras.

Original Story:
http://www.wbir.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=28377
Mark Schnyder, Reporter