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Acadiana Reaches Out To “Yum Yum” The Cotton Candy Man, Who Loses Home In Fire – 12/9 noon UpdateUpdate: Monday, Dec. 9th Many in Acadiana are stepping up to help someone they don’t necessarily know, but once you meet him, it’s impossible to forget him. Chris Jones, also known as "Yum Yum," sold cotton candy during games at the Cajundome and Cajun Field for more than 25 years. But two years ago he broke his ankle, which later got infected and he had to step down from his job. Last year he had to get his lower left leg amputated, costing him his livelihood. Now he’s facing another setback. Jones’ mobile home burned down this week Tuesday. Jones lost everything he owned in the fire, including his dog named Kitty. "I’m going to find me a place and move on, I mean, that’s all you can do," Chris Jones said. His customers and the community are now reaching out to help. A friend set up an an online account that’s already brought in almost14 thousand dollars in donations. "Overwhelmed," Jones said, trying to hold back tears as he described how moved he is that so many people are helping him. "It’s a bad thing. I wish I could help him. But the only thing I can do by helping him, is helping him get rid of the stuff that salvageable," Damian Charles said, who’s a friend of Jones and has been helping clean up the mobile home. "He doesn’t have nothing left over," he said. "I mean you have to move on any kind of disaster that’s happened or whatever," Jones said. There are several ways you can help Jones. Right now a clothing drive is being held for him at Townsquare Media. Additionally, food and clothing donations are being collected the Cajundome during the Ice Gators’ game this Friday. If you’d like to make a donation click here. Chris’ trailer burnt down in a fire on 12-3-13. He lost everything including his beloved dog. All he has is the clothes on his back. Many may know Chris from being the cotton candy man at the Cajundome or Superdome in Louisiana. He is now disabled and can no longer work at his job he loved so much. He has diabetes and had to have part of his leg removed. So, having this job all his life he has no insurance or benefits to help him survive. He needs all the help we can give him because he will be trying to rebuild his life all over again. Chris still has a awesome spirit he says " Katrina took everything from me and I rebuilt and I will do it again." Please everyone help this great person out. If you would like to donate food or clothing his sizes are shirts 2x and pants size 38. Thanks and God Bless…. TV 3 story provided to the AN by Jim Hummel Jim Hummel
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