Back in August of this year local husband and father, Shaun Keeney, was critically injured in a work accident when he was electrocuted by a 440 volt current and struck by an arc flash. The blast set his clothes on fire and Shaun suffered severe 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his head, face, chest, neck, arms and hands. Shaun spent weeks in the hospital undergoing multiple surgeries and skin grafts - while he and his wife Lauren were just 3 weeks away from welcoming their 4th child.

Be The Joy launched a fundraiser to help with Shaun’s Road to Recovery directly following the incident with the funds meant to alleviate the financial burden with Shaun estimated to be out of work for at least a year. For the last few months - Lauren has lovingly cared for Shaun following his release from the hospital - changing his bandages and routine care as he is limited to a medical recliner while also assuming the main parenting role for the 4 children after just giving birth herself and nursing a newborn.

With more surgeries/physical therapy in Shaun’s future - the family has been conserving the funds raised for necessities & bills to hopefully stretch as far as necessary —- which is why this next update was devastating.

The family of 6 has been living in a hotel for the last month following a sewer line collapse that sent sewage up through every toilet, sink and bathtub — requiring a hazmat team to do a full tear out of the home after mold was detected under the floors. While their home insurance WILL cover the damages to the inside of the home — the sewer line replacement out into the yard is NOT covered - with estimates ranging from $8,500 to $17,000 to complete the project. And until reimbursement comes through from insurance - they have had to pay upfront for the extended hotel stay and work inside of the home — from the very limited funds they were trying to stretch.

They are expected to remain in the hotel through the holidays as the extensive work to their home continues.

I know that Shaun & Lauren are incredibly grateful for the community love they have received and that they would never dream of asking for help right now or even letting on how difficult the past 6 months have been —- which is why I am asking for them. I am hoping that we can wrap this family in a little extra love this holiday season as they have been faced with TWO unpredictable tragedies back to back. This should be their first Christmas in their home as a family of 6 with baby Cole — sometimes home isn’t as much of a place as it is the people around you.

We will be surprising the family on December 23rd (with Good Morning America if all goes as planned) - and we are looking forward to sharing what will be a very special moment with everyone that has helped support the family during an unimaginably difficult year.

Thank you.

KEENEY FAMILY Christmas Gifting

By Be the Joy Foundation

KEENEY FAMILY Christmas Gifting

Help us bring joy to the Keeney Family after a year of 2 tragic events.