RAMONA, Calif. -- A family of nine in Ramona, who lost everything during the October firestorm, will soon be getting a new place to call home -- free of charge.

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Local builder Envision Homes joined forces with the Rock Church to rebuild a house for a family in need. They selected the Olesons to be the recipients of a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom, 2,100-square-foot home.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday.

John Oleson and his family were evacuated during the Witch Creek Fire. When they returned, they found the place they had called home for 15 years was gone.

"It was devastating when it first happened," said Oleson. In addition to losing their home, they also lost, "a lot of family heirlooms, old photos, and things like that. We can't replace those."

The family did not have insurance, and with seven children, the Olesons found themselves in a difficult situation. Greg Bradford of Envision Homes said he and his wife just wanted to help, and they wanted the effort to be very hands-on.

"We give to so many charities and give to things where we're kind of disconnected, but when you give to something when you're involved with a family, and the response that they have, it's just unbelievable," said Bradford.

"You know hard times bring out the best in us, and we grow through our trials and we learn more from pain than from pleasure," said Miles McPherson, pastor of Rock Church.

"The things I've lost are just things. It hurts, but most things are replaceable," Oleson said. "I'm just blown away by how many people really care."

The builders are on quite a fast track. They said they are trying to get the home completed in the next 120 days.