The Vaughn Family
- Woody Watts
- Sep 29
- 2 min read
The Vaughn family’s home is more than just a house—it’s a safe haven for seven people
who share not only space, but also love, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to one
another.
Daniel and Jordyn Vaughn moved to Lynchburg just three years ago, looking for a fresh start.
Daniel works long, grueling hours—often more than 70 a week—to support the family as
their only able-bodied wage earner. Jordyn, once a CNA who dreamed of becoming a nurse,
was diagnosed at just 32 with congestive heart failure, the same condition her mother has
battled for two decades. This illness has changed her life, but not her heart for caring for
others.
Also living in the Vaughn household are Jordyn’s parents, Irving (“Butch”) and Mary Harding.
For nearly 20 years, Irving worked at Roberts Home Medical, delivering and carrying heavy
medical equipment into people’s homes. His dedication to helping others came at a great
cost—years of physical strain left him with spinal stenosis, and he is now medically
disabled. Yet even in his pain, Irving continues to give back. Twice a month, he spends
nearly four hours at a time donating platelets to the American Red Cross—a commitment
that requires endurance but saves lives. The staff there describe both Irving and Mary as
some of the kindest, most selfless people they’ve ever met.
Mary, despite suffering a heart attack in her mid-thirties and now living with congestive
heart failure, remains a devoted grandmother. Together, she and Irving help care for three
children: Jordyn and Daniel’s kids, Lucas (12) and Hannah (10), and their niece Audrena
(16), who came to live with them so she could have the stability and support she needed to
succeed in school. Seven people under one roof can be hectic, but this family has built a
home rooted in love and selflessness.
Recently, the family’s HVAC system failed completely. For more than a month, they’ve been
without heating or cooling—something that is especially difficult for both Jordyn and Mary,
who struggle to tolerate extreme temperatures because of their heart conditions. Irving’s
chronic pain is worsened by temperature swings, and even space heaters are not an
option, as the breaker box can’t support them without blowing fuses. With winter
approaching, the uncertainty of how they will stay warm weighs heavily on them all.
Beyond the health concerns, this family has faced wave after wave of hardship: mounting
medical bills, Irving’s upcoming spinal surgery, and the day-to-day strain of making ends
meet on limited income. Yet, despite all they carry, the Vaughns and Harding’s continue to
give back and pour love into their children, their extended family, and their community.
A new heat pump would not just restore comfort—it would provide safety, relief, and peace
of mind to a family that has spent their lives helping others while enduring so many
hardships of their own.
The Vaughn/Harding family is a shining example of resilience and compassion. Please
consider casting your vote for them. Your support could bring warmth and stability to seven
incredibly deserving people who need it most.
