A better home and a fresh start for the Almon Family.
Like most parents, Linda and Lanauza Almon had dreams for their children. They dreamed that their own four children would finish college and become respected leaders in their professions. They dreamed that their six adopted children would know that love has no biological boundaries. And they dreamed that the 150 + foster children they took into their home would carry with them the values learned as they found their places in the world.
And in all the years of their dreaming, they never dreamed that Linda would face terminal breast cancer, leaving “Candy Man”, as Lanauza has been known since childhood, alone to fulfill their dreams.
Linda and Candy Man grew up in Carrollton, GA, where they lived in what was known as “the projects.” They were determined that life would be better for their own children and that they would provide a nurturing place for other children in need. They bought a farm house just outside of town that was in a state of total disrepair. But they felt with their income and the help of friends, they could do the make the repairs to a house infested with problems – turning it into a home. Before they even got a good start, Candy Man was permanently injured at work, causing a loss of their secure income; and Linda fell and displaced her knee cap (resulting in a $60,000 operation that they paid off – without help). Because of health issues, Linda closed her Christian Day Care business and money quickly became scarce. But, they continued to do projects one at a time when there is extra income and continued to be foster parents. And just as Linda secured a good job as a paraprofessional with the school system, she was diagnosed with cancer. She fought for nearly two years to survive. But on December 29, 2006, Linda Denise Bell Almon took her place in heaven.
Now, Candy Man faces uncertain future. He is an incredible man who exemplifies what it means to be a father. He is a role model for other parents as he nurtures and cares for his children, learning now how to be a single parent to ten children. And he does this in spite of the burden of constant back pain. Even with that, he shows up in life every single day with enthusiasm, sporting a smile that blesses each person he encounters.
In all the years Candy Man’s friends have known him, we have seen that smile fade only a few occasions. We watched as tears rolled down his face when Linda’s Dr. explained that there was no medical hope for a cure for her cancer and that her days were numbered. We listened as he broke down because he could not get the pain and nausea medication that Linda needed. We felt the despair in his voice when he called one morning to let us know that their roof was leaking, the plumbing was backed up and the van had quit running. And on December 29. 2006, we saw his agony as he watched his beloved pass away and his children cry for her.
The citizens of Carroll County Georgia have stepped up to the plate to provide emergency aid for this family in crisis. Over the last 2 years, food, clothing, school supplies (including computers) have all been donated, along with money to help off-set the cost of day to day expenses and begin making a dent in the other bills that have accumulated. We have cooked meals, transported children, helped with homework, purchased supplies, and even provided hotel accommodations when the heating broke down at their home and the temperatures were in the 30’s. The people of Carrollton love this family and have done their best to provide for them. Now there is a bigger-than-ever need.
ABC was contacted and the Almon family was nominated for a home makeover as part of the show ABC Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Though the Almons were in the top five nominees, they were told in January 2007 that they were not selected by ABC for a home makeover. After this disappointment, a group of friends banded together and committed to getting either a new home or having the current home remodeled. Two home inspections were performed at the Almon home, and it was determined that the home could be made safe and functional with repair and some remodeling. So, Fostering The Dream (FTD) was conceived as the go-to organization to help the Almons. FTD has committed to coordinate the community effort to remodel the Almon home, including fundraising and project coordination.
In March 2007, Carrollton First United Methodist Church established a Housing Mission with the goal of helping families with housing needs. The first family selected to receive funds from CFUMC Housing Mission was the Almons. These two organizations have partnered together to create a safe home for this family. Several other groups have also stepped up to help the Almons. A Place of Refuge, the home church of the Almon family, has committed to help, along with CrossPoint, a student ministry at the University of West Georgia. CrossPoint raised $6,000 towards a replacement vehicle for the Almons. CrossPoint is in partnership with Midway Macedonia Baptist Church, which has also committed to help the Almons, as has Greenway Medical Technologies, a Carrollton software company.
Candy Man and Linda took in foster children with broken lives, and with God’s help they rebuilt those lives and made them into something new, beautiful and special. We are taking Candy Man’s broken home and fixing it, giving him something functional, safe, beautiful and special. This is where we need your help. Please prayerfully consider how you would like to participate in this project. Please join us in fostering the dream.