Since the word of Lance Cpl. Tyler Huffman's injuries and needs have spread, at least two communities - Fulton and Jefferson City - have rallied to support the young Marine and his family.
While serving in Afghanistan, the Fulton native was shot by an enemy sniper on Dec. 3, 2010. He has since returned home, but is paralyzed. He was awarded the Silver Star banner for the injuries he suffered in combat.
On Thursday night, the culmination of a months-long fundraising campaign for the family resulted in Huffman announcing he and his family had decided to accept an offer and become future residents of Jefferson City.
At the Nov. 10 Veterans Appreciation Night at Jefferson City High School, Joe Twehous, a local developer, and his wife, Kay, took the podium to announce they would like to donate a lot on either side of their home, just off of Scott Station Road in the Grey Creek Valley subdivision in Jefferson City, to the Huffman family.
After it was announced the Huffmans would accept the lot, Twehous beamed and said, "It is official, Jefferson City has adopted you."
It was announced that more than $30,000 had been raised for the family's home to date.