After being scammed, mother of 3 grateful that Riverwood student athletes raise money for RV

HOUSTON – Clutching tightly to his mother's hands, 2-year-old Junior walked up the front steps to his new home.

"Overwhelmed. I didn't even expect this to happen," Raquel Aldridge said.

When Aldridge spoke to Channel 2 back in October, her world had just been turned upside down.

She had just lost $2,500 to an online scammer, money she'd saved up for a year to buy her own trailer to call home. But without that money, the mother and three kids had to remain living in a single bedroom in her brother's house.

"Listening to them cry because they were expecting something more than what we got, that was the most heart-wrenching," Aldridge said.

Her heartbreaking story caught the eye of the right person -- Riverwood Middle School Athletic Coordinator Dale Bransom.

"To see my student athletes be able to do this and be able to give back, I think it makes us a better community in the long run," Bransom said.

His students raised $4,600 for the single mom and helped to purchase a single-bedroom RV for the family.

"The blessing is amazing, and the way I feel, I could just never say thank you enough," Aldridge said.

It's complete with a bed, a bathroom and a place to eat. The space is small, but it's all theirs. It's now headed to its permanent home to be a new start for this new little family.