It's home sweet home for local family

MONTICELLO, Ind. (WLFI) - Flood waters destroyed their home and they've suffered a series of personal setbacks, but this Monticello family isn't giving up. With help from Habitat for Humanity and Disaster Assistance for Northwest Indiana (DANI) they are intent on regaining the home they lost.

In early 2008, two rounds of flooding wiped out Randy and Diane Seabolt's home near the Norway Dam.

"We thought we had lost everything. We went through and tried to salvage what we could and then the second one took everything that we had salvaged," Randy Seabolt said.

The Seabolts tried to rebuild but ran into trouble getting the proper permits. Randy's recovery from a heart attack and ongoing back problems also slowed the process. Then, in September, the couple's 9-year-old grandson was killed in a school bus accident on U.S. 24.

But although they agree that last year brought them some tragedies, the Seabolts say they've also received many blessings.

In March, the organization Disaster Assistance for Northwest Indiana, or DANI, stepped in and gave the couple the money they needed to finish the house.

DANI is a long-term recovery agency for flood victims. Since 2008, the organization has helped more than 100 families and donated more than $750,000.

"It's as if they were sent to us. We don't understand it. We just know they showed up one day," Diane said.

Habitat for Humanity volunteers also pitched in, including two groups from as far away as Pennsylvania.

The Seabolts said they are hopeful about the future and want to give back.

"Good always comes after bad, no matter what. And I don't think you'll ever be able to convince me otherwise," Diane said.

"We just feel so blessed and we know that it has to be better this year. We're going to have a better year," Randy said.