NATCHEZ — A generous act of kindness brought a hint of a silver lining to an ailing family Friday.

There was not much hope for the Norris family after the home they were renting on U.S. 61 North burned down Thursday.

The fire took most of their possessions, money and even several of their pets.

But just a day later, an anonymous donor gave the family some hope in the form of a donated house.

Janis Norris was standing in front of the fire-damaged house Friday when she got the news of the generous donation.

The news was almost too much for the Natchez resident, who was left speechless for several moments.

“I don’t know what to say. I am stunned,” Janis said. “How could someone give you a house?”

The donor, who asked to remain anonymous, wanted to give the family a home and help them get back on their feet.

“This house was a gift, so we wanted to make it a gift to someone else,” said the donor speaking of the house that’s near the one the Norris family rented. “I would hope someone would help me.”

The donor is even allowing the Norris family to move the house to a parcel of land they own in Natchez.

The family once owned a trailer that was on that property, but they were forced to move in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the trailer.

Janis, along with her husband Carl and grandchildren Mark and Tiffany, spent last night at the Red Carpet Inn where they had paid through Monday, but had no idea where they would go after that.

“They need everything, silverwear, beds, couches, clothes,” said Tina Delaughter, Janis’ sister-in-law. “They are starting over from scratch.”

The family’s 10-year-old dog Angel died along with their birds, Tweety and Petey. The fish survived.

The family also lost their live savings. Cash that was stowed away in various parts of the house was burned.

“It is never going to come back,” Janis said. “So now what we have to deal with is trying to find a way to cope with this and start all over.”

Janis is opening a bank account for the family Monday as a place where locals can donate money.

Until then, the family requests any offer of assistance be directed to Janis’ daughter Elizabeth Collier, who can be reached at 601-870-4452 or Janis’ grandson Mark Norris Jr. at 601-316-7796.