In the wake of the horrific winter wildfires in Gatlinburg, Tenn. and the surrounding area, thousands of residents were displaced, many of whom lost their homes. Clayton, one of the nation’s largest builders of manufactured and modular homes, has helped one family in their efforts to recover from the tragedy by guiding them through their home buying process and delivering a new home to the family less than two months after the wildfires destroyed their old home last November 28.
“Our immediate needs were met within minutes of us posting and telling everyone that our house was gone,” Sandra Cates said of the assistance from the Gatlinburg community. “We had nothing, but within minutes we had clothing again and offers for household stuff. It was just immediate.”
The Cates were able to select a Clayton Built™ home at Clayton Homes of Strawberry Plains, Tenn., and have it delivered and set up at the home site in less than two months. The Cates family is now back at home on their Gatlinburg property and excited for life to be returning to normal. They are one of the first to return home as Gatlinburg residents recover and rebuild after suffering so much loss from the wildfires.
“We are so proud to call East Tennessee our home,” said Kevin Clayton, CEO of Clayton. “The resilience of the Cates family through this tragedy embodies what it means to be ‘Smokies Strong.’ It is heart-warming to see our neighbors share such an inspiring message of strength and unity for the community after enduring so much loss. We are excited that they chose a Clayton home to rebuild their lives and make new memories.”
