Christmas tree farm owners supported by community after house fire

The community is coming together to support the owners of a Warren County Christmas tree farm after a fire left the family displaced.

Bryan and Jennifer Keeton have owned “Big Tree Plantation” in Morrow for more than a decade, according to our news partners at WCPO.

On Nov. 21, just days before their busiest day of the year, the family’s house and two cars were heavily damaged in a fire.

Bryan was at the farm during the fire, but Jennifer and one of their daughters were both home.

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“We lost our girls’ 1-year-old pictures that were framed on the wall. We lost things that can’t be replaced, but we’re thankful, we didn’t lose everything,” Brian told WCPO.

A family friend decided to start an online fundraiser to support the family.

“A fire at any time of year is going to be tragic, but as we know, it’s the holidays. Everyone wants to be in their own home to have the comfort, the familiarity, everything that you’re used to and that has been taken from them,” Family friend Marsha Bradley said.

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Another reason Bradley started the fundraiser is so the community can support this family that is always doing what it can to support others.

As of Friday evening, the fundraiser has raised more than $16,000.

As the family starts to rebuild, they’re finding hope because of their faith and their loved ones, things they wish anyone in a similar situation will find hope in.

“Things that I thought were really important a few days ago, maybe it’s not that they’re not important, but it allows you to reset your priorities,” Keeton said.