INDUSTRY – The Boyd family lost everything they owned when a fire destroyed their home earlier this month, but they still have plenty to be thankful for when they sit down to Thanksgiving dinner today, Carolyn Boyd said.

Things might have been different, however, without the donations that have flooded in from the community, said Boyd, whose husband, Edward, barely escaped the fire.

“I’m thankful every day that my husband made it out alive, and the generosity from the community has shown us that we will be able to recover from this,” she said. “It means a lot to us to know we’re not alone.”

Neighbors, friends and strangers alike have sent furniture, clothes, food and money to help the family. Carolyn Boyd struggled Wednesday to describe the effect of the donations, especially on her son Sean, 15, and daughter Leigha, 16.

“I cry every time that I talk about it because it’s shown my family there are so many people out there who care about us and want to help others,” she said.

The family is living at her parents’ house until they can replace their home, which was insured. Edward Boyd awoke to find the living room ablaze from a fire that started in a wood stove the night of Nov. 6. He cut his fingers and leg on broken glass while escaping the fire.

A furniture store in Farmington donated a new bed for the couple, and a storage facility is letting the family store the items for free until they get into a new home. A benefit supper is planned for Saturday at the Industry Town Hall at 5 p.m.

Although getting the support from strangers came as a surprise, she knows her community has always come together when its residents are going through tough times.

“We live in a small town, and whenever something terrible happens, the people do whatever they can to help each other out,” she said. “I wouldn’t move out of this town for anything.”

Kennebec Journal Staff Writer David Robinson can be contacted at 861-9287 or at:

drobinson@centralmaine.com