Help Elim and Siblings Stay in Benton

"I want a hug please" These are the first words I heard my 7 year-old grandson (Elim) speak since he was a babbling little baby. And it's all because of the teachers, paras, and community of Benton, Louisiana.

They NEED to stay in Benton!

Just 3 years ago, my daughter, son-in-law, and 4 beautiful grandchildren spent Christmas with me in Indiana. My youngest (Ezri) threw her arms open and yelled, "Memaw!" It was the first time I had seen her in person. But my grandson.... he was completely non-verbal, and he wouldn't even look me in the face.

Benton is their HOME!

My 2 middle grandchildren are on the autism spectrum. And since they moved to Louisiana, they have thrived! My granddaughter Saffy is now in an advanced art program and a cheerleader. And, as I mentioned above, Elim is now speaking, as well as hugging, smiling, laughing and doing all the things he should have been doing all along.

The Benton teachers have worked miracles!

However, my grandbabies are in danger of losing the place that has worked those miracles. You see, my daughter and son-in-law signed a contract to buy a little shack on a piece of property in Benton - a contract offered by someone they thought they could trust. But that property was not legally theirs to sell!

And now, my daughter and her family are being forced to move. They need to stay in Benton.

Thanks to the wonderful social media group for the best little town in Louisiana, they have leads on rental properties. However, they need the deposit, first and last months rent, and they need it immediately. They are literally months away from being able to buy a home, but they desperately need a place to transition, a place to feel safe, and place in Benton, where the kids are thriving.

Over the past few days, these children have watched as their livestock has been given to friends - their chickens, ducks, emus, and soon their guardian dogs. It's been heart-wrenching to witness and so incredibly painful to watch.

They need a safe place in Benton!

Please help them stay in Benton so these kids will continue to thrive. So they can continue to be treated at Shriner's for the rare, genetic disease they suffer from - the very thing that caused the autism and my oldest grandchild's (Brooklyn's) bilateral club foot. Finally, so all of them can be near the people they've grown to love so very much, and feel safe and secure in a home.... in Benton, Louisiana.

I understand the state of the country is a mess and we are all struggling in one way or another. So any amount you can contribute will help.... and if you can't help monetarily, please share with friends and family.

Thank you for your time.... and for assisting and blessing my family. You have my complete and total appreciation.