Jennifer Lawrence is thankful for community. The Hunger Games star has spoken out following the fire that decimated part of her family’s farm in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday, Nov. 27. The farm also served as a summer camp called Camp Hi Ho, which Lawrence and her siblings grew up attending and is currently run by her brother, Blaine Lawrence.
Lawrence’s family farm was severely damaged in a fire after Thanksgiving
Camp Hi Ho shared in a Facebook post on Saturday, Nov. 28, that their barn had been destroyed a fire. According to WLKY News, the blaze started around 9 p.m. on Nov. 27. It reportedly took a more than an hour for 30 firefighters to put out the fire. Six firetrucks were required to help douse the flames.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm the news that we lost our barn last night in a horrible fire,” Blaine wrote in his statement. “We are deeply thankful that no people or animals were hurt, but we are still mourning the loss of years of hard work and memories that occurred in these walls.”
“Words cannot describe the pain we are in, but we are so incredibly grateful for the Simpsonville Fire Department and all the other firefighters who responded to our emergency,” the statement continued. “You are true heroes. We are also so grateful for the countless members of our community who have reached out to support us during this time. Your love and kindness mean the world to us.”
Camp Hi Ho is a summer day camp that frequently hosts children sponsored by the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Jennifer Lawrence called Camp Hi Ho a ‘muddy, messy paradise’
In a statement to People, the Oscar winner detailed her fond childhood memories of the camp and expressed her heartbreak over the tragic fire.
“I want to thank my Louisville community for reaching out to my family and me following the devastating fire that sadly destroyed a significant part of Camp Hi Ho,” the 30-year-old star said. “Thankfully, because of our amazing firefighters and first responders, no one was hurt and all of the animals were kept safe.”
As the Silver Linings Playbook star continued, “I grew up on that farm, going to Camp Hi Ho every summer. When my brother Blaine took it over, he applied his creative mind and fun loving spirit and expanded a camp that was already the coolest, because it was the only place where kids could do whatever they wanted. A muddy, messy paradise.”
Lawrence then noted that her family hopes to have the camp back up and running by summer 2021.
“I’m grateful to Camp Hi Ho for the amazing childhood memories,” she shared. “My family and I are working together to help Blaine through this. And we are so grateful for the widespread support from the community to get Camp Hi Ho back up and running so we can welcome kids back this summer.”
According to an email sent from Blaine to camp parents obtained by TMZ, the damage to the barn was extensive. The building reportedly contained Blaine’s office, an indoor rock wall for the campers, horse stalls, a horseback riding area, storage for farm equipment, a wildlife display center, and more. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by Kentucky authorities.
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