HASLETT - Amie Akers and her family met the Owen family when they first moved to Haslett.

"We met them when we moved here three years ago to start our youth ministry at Trinity Church. We lived right next door to them," Akers said.

And although the Akers' moved to a different neighborhood, the two families have remained close friends. Which is why, when the Owen family was away for vacation, it was Amy who called Karen Owen and told her the devastating news: Their home was on fire.

"She didn't even start crying, she just kind of gasped and said, 'Will you just stand there and tell me what's going on?' "

She said it's one of the most difficult phone calls she's ever made.

"Knowing those babies, knowing where their rooms were, especially the oldest, watching her room, really, really be on fire was just really sad. It's an emotion I don't want to have to experience again," Akers said.

The house was declared a total loss. Akers says she told the Owen family to continue their vacation as planned, and decided that she was going to try and make a difference. She set up a campaign on the site, Go-Fund-Me, and says it took off from there.

Soon, donations started pouring in. Everything from toys, to clothes and a multitude of gift cards.

"The kids each got a letter from a person from Northville, Michigan. This one," She said, holding up one of the gift cards, "says 'Dear Cooper, enjoy picking out something really cool, God Bless.' "

For Akers, it's all about the Golden Rule.

"Everyone has said 'You're such an amazing person for doing this,' well, I just did what I would want people to do for me," Akers said.

Akers said if multiple donations of an item are made, the extra will be given to other families who lost their homes to a fire.