After a fire left them homeless, mom surprises her family with a new home for Christmas

The New Year brings feelings of hope and possibility. But January 2024 began in utter devastation for TikToker Danielle Benson (@icanonlybememe7) and her 9 children. After a fire ripped through their home in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 28, they were left with nothing, she shared in a statement on her family's GoFundMe. She revealed more photos of their charred home following the fire in another video posted on TikTok. A hairdresser and doula, Danielle worked hard throughout the year to provide everything her family needed–documenting their life on TikTok.

The year saw the family living in different hotels and camping to find shelter. In a video showing 'a day in the life', Danielle highlighted how she made it work with her kids. "Homeless with 9 children be a little like this," she introed the video. She shared a clip of her kids tidying up a hotel room, writing, "We clean where we are and have partners to help." Next, her kids are dancing with her in a hair salon, and she shares, "I bring them to the shop with me while I do my hair thang." She spends time with her oldest son, and also shares a clip of the family setting up a tent, noting that "we do a little camping". Danielle shows how she prepares pre-packaged meals, along with how the family spends their time on outings.

While her family has made the best of their situation for the past year, Danielle surprised her family for the holidays with the ultimate gift: a new home. In a video shared with her followers a few days before Christmas, she announced the good news after each of her 9 kids introduced themselves in a roll call. At the end of the video, Danielle happily says, "I'm the momma, and we ain't homeless no more!" Her kids scream and hug and dance around her in disbelief. They ask Danielle if it's a prank, but she reaffirms that it is all real. "No more hotels, no more homeless shelters, no more sleeping in a car!"

The heartwarming video gained an overwhelming response on TikTok, and has been watched over 20 million times. "Your children look fed, clothed, loved and most importantly HAPPY," one TikToker commented. Another wrote, "She didn’t just get them a house for Christmas. She got them safety, stability, and security. Merry Christmas mama!!" The comments kept coming, praising Danielle's perseverance. "and even through homelessness, you kept your kids happy, fed, clean, warm, and— most importantly— loved. you're doing amazing."

Others shared their own stories of homelessness. "❤️I am so happy for your family. When I was in middle school we (mom + me and 7 brothers) slept in a car for a year. This really hits home." Another commented, "I am so proud of you, Mama!! I’m a mama, and I’m currently homeless. My son has been staying with his father, but I don’t have a place for us to have visits or anything…I know how hard it is out there."

After viewers asked for Danielle to share an Amazon Wishlist for her family's needs and gifts, she provided a link for donations here. Her family's story of resilience has brought smiles and hope to millions this holiday season.