farragutpress

Seasons, Littles step up to help employee, family

February 8, 2023 by Michelle Hollenhead

Seasons Innovative Bar & Grille is leading the way to help one of its own while offering the community several chances to help, too.

“Seasons has always been a family,” stated a recent social media post from the Turkey Creek restaurant owned by Deron and Sheah Little. “We have a family member, Landin (Bolt), who needs our help. His grandma passed away recently, leaving his disabled grandpa alone with nowhere to live.

“Landin’s family has been renovating a home in Rockwood with hopes his grandpa can live there, close to family; however, the house is in need of a LOT of work. Landin’s family has invested everything in an effort to get the house livable. It will take a minimum of $10,000 in additional money to finish the house.”

The urgent time frame has only recently presented itself, as Landin’s grandfather and adopted daughter must be out of their home this month, therefore the Rockwood house must be repaired and brought up to code as soon as possible.

Seasons has pledged 10 percent of every Thursday’s proceeds in February to go to the effort, hosted a pancake breakfast Saturday, Feb. 4, and is planning a wine dinner Sunday, Feb. 19, from which it has promised 50 percent of those proceeds.

“We ask that you please help us love on this dear family,” the Seasons post added.

Issues for the Bolts began last fall, when the mother of Matthew, Landin’s father, became very ill, and passed away in October. While she left a $100,000 life insurance policy, portions were used the pay off the family vehicles, funeral expenses and outstanding medical bills. Then her widower was notified their Kentucky home they had been renting would be put on the market.

“Of the money left, we looked for a house we could buy closer to us, and the only thing we could afford was located in Rockwood,” said Matthew, who is a father of six, including Landin, with his wife, Nichole.

They thought they could make the house livable on the remaining funds, but unforeseen costs, such as the roofing alone — which doubled from the original estimate based on additional repair items discovered — along with flooring, plumbing and heat and air necessities, put the family in a bind financially, even though they are trying to do as much of the work as they can themselves.

As Matthew’s oldest son, Landin has been helping as he could in between working and being dually enrolled as a senior at Hardin Valley Academy and Pellissippi State Community College.

The situation came to light when a co-worker offhandedly praised how far the teen had progressed since he began working at Seasons as a 15-year-old, and Landin shared his family’s current plight.

“Sheah overheard me, then Deron asked to come see the house,” Landin said. “After that, they offered to help.”

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to help an employee and friend in their time of need,” Deron Little stated in an e-mail. “At Seasons we believe that people are with us for a reason.  We are a family.  God uses the restaurant and our resources to touch lives.”

“I just want to share how much it means to us that they have offered to help in this way,” Matthew said.

“I would also like to say that none of this would have happened without Landin’s strong work ethic,” he added. “It all stems from that, and I can’t take credit for it. What he has done, and what he does, you don’t typically see from most 17-year-olds.”

“I do enjoy helping others,” Landin said. “It makes me feel good when other people feel good.”

In addition, the family also has a Go Fund Me account, which can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/home-for-my-little-sister.

“People don’t have to just give money,” Matthew said. “If they have any materials they would like to donate, or services, or time ... .

“We are very grateful for any and all assistance anyone is willing to offer,” he added.