Lacombe, La Residents Show Heart by Helping Orphaned Teens

Cheyenne and Tyler Osburn
Photo by Mark Asnin for People Magazine

Teens Tyler and Cheyenne Osburn have suffered tragedy and hardship throughout their young lives. Their father died when they were infants. In 2007, there mother was permanently disabled in a fire and died of a heart attack around Christmas time in 2011. Suddenly, Lacombe, La residents, Tyler and Cheyenne found themselves all alone and scared.

In an article for People Magazine, Cheyenne says, "I was so scared of not having a mom, having no one to come home to, having to deal with grown-up things like bills, I felt so alone."

Cheyenne and Tyler soon found they were not alone after all. People Magazine reports that friends, neighbors and total strangers came together to help the newly orphaned teens stay in their childhood home.

“Their mom's friends Gwen Babin and Karen Labatut agreed to be the children's legal guardians and started a rotation with family friend Pam Taylor, taking turns cooking dinner and staying overnight at the teens' home. A men's Bible study group mowed their lawn. A local pizza business donated meals. And Jackie Dantin, head of the local nonprofit Community Christian Concern, Inc..set up a fund to help pay their monthly mortgage, groceries and other bills through this summer.”

The community efforts on behalf of Cheyenne and Tyler have allowed them to stay in their home and finish high school. The teens still worry. Tyler is committed to making sure they can stay in their home. "I think about [my mom] every single day," After she passed away, I felt really lost. My sister gives me hope. It's my instinct to protect her. I'm going to be there for her no matter what."

The siblings are doing well. Tyler, 19, is working in construction, and Cheyenne,17, will start college soon. They are grateful for the support of their community.

Cheyenne adds, "I never thought all these people would want to help so much. It's been amazing."

The residents of Lacombe, La could have easily gone on with their busy lives leaving the teens to deal with social service agencies and fend for themselves. Lacombe would have none of that. The town came together and rallied to the aid of Tyler and Cheyenne.

The residents of this small town of 8000 have shown the country and the world how to do did the right thing when nobody is looking by not turning a deaf ear and blind eye to two of their community residents that needed them.

Lacombe, La has heart!

For more on the principle of “Heart,” see “Don't Seek Success – Be Happi.”

Be Great!

MB