9-year-old girl who saved family from fire gets early Christmas
By theGrio
5:08 PM on 12/20/2010
Christmas came early for a brave Florida girl and her family. The 9-year-old helped her siblings and cousins escape a house fire last month. They unfortunately lost everything in the blaze.
Jacksonville Automobile Muscle, or JAM!, heard about the fire and wanted to help out.
"Oh, they have no idea this is coming," said JAM! member Michelle Modica.
Unsuspecting 9-year-old Shakiah Rollo and her younger brothers watched anxiously from their window as several fancy cars rolled into their neighborhood bearing gifts.
JAM! members donned Santa hats to give out trunks full of toys they bought for the very surprised children who didn't think they'd have any presents to open this Christmas.
"They knew we didn't have much money or anything for Christmas this year and they really weren't worried about it," said their mother Shakerra Mason-Rollo.
Christmas gifts along with everything else burned up after a fire broke out at the family's home in Callahan last month.
9-year-old Shakiah managed to get her younger sister, two brothers and some cousins out of the house.
"I thank her everyday. And she still says to me, Mom as long as I have my family, that's all I need for Christmas," said Mason-Rollo.
But it turns out, brave Shakiah and her siblings are getting much more after all.
Their new home is filled with donated gifts.
JAM members said although they're about promoting their cars, bringing this kind of joy to families is also a core part of their club.
"It's fantastic. This time of year, people tend to forget there are others out there who aren't as fortunate as us and it's great to be a part of it and give back to them," said Modica.
Just when they thought their Christmas was permanently changed by fire, some unexpected Santas helped to prove that all is not lost.
"To see the smiles on their faces, I can't even explain it," said Mason-Rollo.
"It's the best Christmas ever," said 5-year-old Zachary Rollo.
The family also received a television, a laptop and enough food to make a good holiday meal.
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Monday, December 20th 2010 at 6:30PM
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