To the People of Pigeon Forge:
My family and I recently spent eight days in your beautiful community following our evacuation from our home in Slidell, Louisiana which was struck by Hurricane Katrina. On behalf of my family, I want to express our genuine appreciation for the many “acts of kindness” we received from the wonderful and generous people of Pigeon Forge.
I recall the compassionate sales person (I only wish I knew her name) at the Tanger Outlet Mall who insisted on personally paying for the new clothes my daughter (who lost virtually all of her material possessions in her flooded home) purchased for my two-year old grandchild. When my daughter approached the counter to pay for her goods, the sales lady simply said that her money was not necessary because the merchandise was already paid for.
I think about the generosity and kindness of Mr. David Fee and Jim Hedrick of The Comedy Barn who provided free tickets to their wonderfully entertaining and family friendly show – simply because they thought the people impacted by the storm “could use a laugh”. I recall the generosity of Mr. Roger Ragel of the Music Road Inn who deeply discounted our room rates during our stay at his beautiful hotel when he learned that we were from the hurricane-inflicted region of southeast Louisiana. And then there were the prayers and words of encouragement offered by the members of First Baptist Church and others.
Hurricane Katrina brought our family waves of wind, water and devastation. But in the ensuing days and weeks following Katrina’s landfall, it is the waves of love, concern and support from people like you which have sustained and strengthened us in our time of loss. We have been profoundly touched by your acts of kindness, compassion and generosity and for that we will be forever grateful to you.
To all of you, we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
May the Lord bless each and every one of you!

Richard and Bobbie Gibbs & Family

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