KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Just weeks before welcoming their baby boy and girl into the world, a Blount County family lost their home in a fire. The Knoxville Martial Arts Academy, a South Knoxville gym that the couple goes to, rallied Thursday to help them. It raised money and collected donations to help the couple back onto their feet.
Anthony Cochran said the people at the gym have seen him at his "lowest low," and supported him all the way.
"I just can't say, 'Thank you,' or, 'I love you,' enough," he said.
The Cochran family's home caught fire in early December, but the couple was able to escape the blaze without injuries. They escaped with their pets but had to leave everything else behind.
"As soon as I heard her scream, I knew it was go-time, with her being pregnant," he said. "If you would have told us that one day, we would be able to hold our twins in our hand, I would think you were lying."
While sparring on the mat at Knoxville Martial Arts Academy, the couple also tussled with infertility issues. Through it all though, the gym had their back. Emilee King, a coach at the gym, said every fighter there has a team behind them.
"Our coaches have our back, our corners. They have our back, we have Anthony and Sam's backs," she said. "We have a saying around here, 'I am because we are.'"
She said the gym plans to host two seminars on Saturday, December 21st. There will be a seminar in the morning and afternoon. The classes are open to anyone in the public. Tickets are $25 for one class and $40 for both.
This is a benefit event and all proceeds will help the Cochran rebuild. The money will also go to help the new family prepare for twins.
"To see one of our own in need of something, we knew we would come to their aid," said King.
She said behind each martial artist's win, there's a team.
"The first thing that comes in mind is, 'Family,'" said Cochran.