The Keshia Basham family received a life-changing blessing Wednesday through the “Wrapped Up in Love” project, part of the Hands Up to Succeed (HUTS) initiative by the Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation.
Basham, a single mother, and her three teenage daughters — Kailey Basham, 16; Aliyah Rugama, 14; and Ava Rugama, 13 — became the 85th family to benefit from the program, which provides essential home items such as furniture, bedding, and décor to disadvantaged families.
“We’ve never had anything new, and it’s just an overwhelming feeling,” Basham said. “It’s such a huge blessing. The support from Alma and others in the community has made this possible, and we’re so grateful.”
The family was nominated for the project by Mom’s Cleaning Service. Their journey has been one of perseverance and resilience.
“It took 15 years to escape an abusive relationship,” Basham said. “I had to work hard to get out, all while trying to protect my children from being placed in a shelter. Now, this new start feels like a fresh beginning.”
The transformation was made possible through partnerships with Bell Bank Mortgage and additional donors. An anonymous couple from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, provided beds and bedding for the teenage girls, while the Johnny Christian family sponsored a TV and entertainment center in honor of a deceased loved one.
“I have been deeply touched over the last year with new supporters coming forward and saying, ‘What can we do to help?’” said Alma Randolph, founder of the initiative.
Since its launch in December 2016 with the “Christmas Blessings” project, HUTS has helped upgrade 85 homes, offering families what Randolph describes as “a hand up, not a handout.”
For the Basham family, the impact goes beyond material support.
“This new living situation is life-changing for us,” Basham said. “It’s a huge relief to finally have a stable place to call home.”
The family hopes to pay it forward.
“We want to help others who are in the same position we were,” Basham said. “It’s our goal to pay it forward whenever we can.”
With continued support from the community, the HUTS initiative remains committed to transforming lives, one home at a time.
