Volunteers help family displaced by Sandy get new home
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By DAN BOWENS, @danbowensfox5
NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -
A cancer-stricken 6-year-old boy whose family was displaced by Superstorm Sandy is back in his Long Island home after it was rebuilt by volunteers.
A child with Leukemia is difficult enough for any family, but for the Heckman family in Amityville it is a situation made that much worse when Hurricane Sandy destroyed their home.
They moved back in for the first time today. The home was rebuilt with the help of hundreds of volunteers.
A breathtaking and tearful move in day at the Heckman house -- and it feels good.
"This is what they've been waiting for for so long," said Danielle Heckman.
The family's home was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy -- a loss coming just months after Danielle learned their 6-year-old son Steven had leukemia.
"It was just a nightmare. We were losing hope," said Danielle.
After hearing about the family's dilemma, volunteers from the National Association of Remodeling Industry rebuilt the place, even giving Steven his own bedroom with a painting of Indiana Jones -- the courageous adventurer is his favorite character.
"It means that we can be a family again. The kids have their own room and they don't have to worry about where they're going to sleep tonight," Danielle.
"To see the owners walk into this house – it is very warming," said Patrick Bentivegna.
Bentivegna helped with construction here and he says throughout our region, thousands of others are still in desperate need of repairs.
"The scope of work is just devastating," said Bentivegna. People don't know what to do. Insurance companies haven't worked with them yet."
Despite the challenges facing her family, Danielle says she feels lucky.
"We know a lot of people. I wish everyone could be helped the way that I was helped."
It is still a long road ahead for young Steven. He has at least two more years of chemotherapy.
For more information on how you may be able to help, log on to deletebloodcancer.org.
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