Comments on: A double disaster http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/10/23/a-double-disaster/ Welcome to RV Weekly where the editor of RV Trade Digest will be updating you on the latest news, trends, and products important to the RV industry. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:17:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Ford RV Refrigeration Training Center http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/10/23/a-double-disaster/#comment-2386 Ford RV Refrigeration Training Center Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:06:24 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/10/23/a-double-disaster/#comment-2386 Our prayers are with all of those who are experiencing tragedies. In Nov. 2005, we were wiped out by a tornado. It took our business, home, vehicles, everything we owned. At the time, we felt devistated as I'm sure you are all feeling right now. However, I hope to encourage you with the knowledge that God will bless you as you pull things back together. He never closes a window without opening a door. Though the recovery process is not easy, it is possible. It took us 6 months to get our business back up and running, and our home, vehicles, and belongings replaced. Since the tornado, our business has grown and we have been able to add employees and services. During the recovery, we were reminded of our strengths and found that no matter what was needed, God provided it. People came from everywhere to assist in the rebuilding and though we were underinsured, we managed to build our shop larger and better. "Keep the faith" is not just a saying. It's an important factor in the recovery process of any catastrophe. You can get through this and you will look back on it some day with the feelings of accomplishment. If you would like to read about our devistation, go to www.rvrefrigeration.com/aboutus.asp and click on the tornado at the bottom of the page. God bless you and if you need someone to talk to who has been there, please feel free to contact me @ fordrv@rvrefrigeration.com or call 270-354-9239 Onna Lee Ford Our prayers are with all of those who are experiencing tragedies. In Nov. 2005, we were wiped out by a tornado. It took our business, home, vehicles, everything we owned. At the time, we felt devistated as I’m sure you are all feeling right now. However, I hope to encourage you with the knowledge that God will bless you as you pull things back together. He never closes a window without opening a door.

Though the recovery process is not easy, it is possible. It took us 6 months to get our business back up and running, and our home, vehicles, and belongings replaced. Since the tornado, our business has grown and we have been able to add employees and services.

During the recovery, we were reminded of our strengths and found that no matter what was needed, God provided it. People came from everywhere to assist in the rebuilding and though we were underinsured, we managed to build our shop larger and better.

“Keep the faith” is not just a saying. It’s an important factor in the recovery process of any catastrophe. You can get through this and you will look back on it some day with the feelings of accomplishment.

If you would like to read about our devistation, go to http://www.rvrefrigeration.com/aboutus.asp and click on the tornado at the bottom of the page.

God bless you and if you need someone to talk to who has been there, please feel free to contact me @ fordrv@rvrefrigeration.com or call 270-354-9239
Onna Lee Ford

]]> By: Tom Kennedy http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/10/23/a-double-disaster/#comment-2383 Tom Kennedy Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:07:50 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/10/23/a-double-disaster/#comment-2383 Franklin Coach has been a company that has consistently built quality, almost one-off RV's. The Abel Family has been quiet giants in the development of the RV Industry since 1945. While never subscribing to the 'build them in vast lots, and build them cheap' mentality, the company has excelled in satisfying both RV dealers and RV owners with personalized service, and customized products. I myself always had a pleasureable experience when retailing their coaches. There would be a great void in the future of the RV Industry if Franklin now does not get the support of the Industry that it has served with blood, sweat, and tears. I encourage the Industry Dealers to take another look at the NEW Franklin Coach, after it rebuilds, and enjoy the fruits of a good old fashioned Company. Although the entire company was totally leveled by the tornado, unprecedented in our Industry, all buildings just are gone, the Blessing is that the storm came through after work hours and not one life was lost. Franklin is a true "family". If this devastation happened during the daytime, surely we would be mourning 100's of fatalities as noone could have survived anywhere in their complex. We all owe the Abel Family and the dedicated Franklin Employees, an extra measure of support. I can personally tell you that The Abels were always on the giving end when disaster struck any of us, it's now our turn to give to them. They run a good Company! God Bless them as they work to rebuild. Franklin Coach has been a company that has consistently built quality, almost one-off RV’s. The Abel Family has been quiet giants in the development of the RV Industry since 1945. While never subscribing to the ‘build them in vast lots, and build them cheap’ mentality, the company has excelled in satisfying both RV dealers and RV owners with personalized service, and customized products. I myself always had a pleasureable experience when retailing their coaches. There would be a great void in the future of the RV Industry if Franklin now does not get the support of the Industry that it has served with blood, sweat, and tears. I encourage the Industry Dealers to take another look at the NEW Franklin Coach, after it rebuilds, and enjoy the fruits of a good old fashioned Company. Although the entire company was totally leveled by the tornado, unprecedented in our Industry, all buildings just are gone, the Blessing is that the storm came through after work hours and not one life was lost. Franklin is a true “family”. If this devastation happened during the daytime, surely we would be mourning 100’s of fatalities as noone could have survived anywhere in their complex. We all owe the Abel Family and the dedicated Franklin Employees, an extra measure of support. I can personally tell you that The Abels were always on the giving end when disaster struck any of us, it’s now our turn to give to them. They run a good Company! God Bless them as they work to rebuild.

]]> By: Bob Zagami http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/10/23/a-double-disaster/#comment-2378 Bob Zagami Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:08:39 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/10/23/a-double-disaster/#comment-2378 Our thoughts and prayers go out to the residents and business owners affected by this horrific series of fires. With a lot of the fires in the mountains, we can only hope that the dealers and manufacturers have been spared and will be available to assist the victims who have lost everything in this disaster of epic proportions. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the residents and business owners affected by this horrific series of fires.

With a lot of the fires in the mountains, we can only hope that the dealers and manufacturers have been spared and will be available to assist the victims who have lost everything in this disaster of epic proportions.

]]> By: M. Mueller http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/10/23/a-double-disaster/#comment-2377 M. Mueller Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:42:42 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/10/23/a-double-disaster/#comment-2377 Thank God for RV's! Here in San Diego County thousands of off-roaders, campers, tailgaters and others with any kind of RV are escaping these deadly fires. You can see them parked at strip malls, WalMarts, Lowe's, Home Depot's and our local schools. These families are secure and comfortable, and they can move - if needed. Thank God for RV’s! Here in San Diego County thousands of off-roaders, campers, tailgaters and others with any kind of RV are escaping these deadly fires. You can see them parked at strip malls, WalMarts, Lowe’s, Home Depot’s and our local schools. These families are secure and comfortable, and they can move - if needed.

]]> By: Glenda Adams http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/10/23/a-double-disaster/#comment-2376 Glenda Adams Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:05:44 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/10/23/a-double-disaster/#comment-2376 To the Abels and their employees: I would just like to say how very sorry I am about your tragedy. I just can't imagine the magnitude of the devastation you are all going through. Although we've been in the park model manufacturing business for only a few years, to lose everything we've worked towards would be heart breaking. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Glenda Adams Sales Manager SunLake Living Systems Sylvester, Ga. To the Abels and their employees:

I would just like to say how very sorry I am about your tragedy. I just can’t imagine the magnitude of the devastation you are all going through. Although we’ve been in the park model manufacturing business for only a few years, to lose everything we’ve worked towards would be heart breaking. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sincerely,
Glenda Adams
Sales Manager
SunLake Living Systems
Sylvester, Ga.

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