Volunteers sift through rubble of home

WILSON, N.Y. (WIVB) - On the land where the Johnson home once stood, dozens of volunteers scoured through the debris on Wednesday, searching for anything that may be of sentimental value to the family.

The family lost their home in a powerful explosion around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, one that blew four family members out of the home and killed 14-year-old Sarah Johnson. Her 18-year-old sister, Katie, remains in critical condition at ECMC.

Michele Mittelsteadt said, "I'm really hoping to give the family some piece of their life back. I know it's going to be horrible, I know they're going to have to rebuild from scratch, but something."

The Johnsons arrived in Wilson only four years ago, but have made a major impact on their community because of their kindness and willingness to help others.

>> Full Coverage: See photos of the explosion, the victims, and the vigil. Listen to audio of crews learning of the devastation. Read stories about the community coming together for the Johnson family. And find out how you can help.

Sam Parise said, "A person in need, they are there for them all the time. Mrs. Johnson is constantly caring for kids, obviously of her own, but everybody else's kids. She's a saint in her ways."

They are a family that loves sports, so when someone found a soccer wrist band, they handed it to Katie Johnson's best friend, Kaitlyn Bowers.

"They found it out of everything, and he brought it up to me. I'm on my way to the hospital, so I'm going to bring it up to her room so that she can see it when she wakes up," Bowers said.

The father, Jody, spent many years in the Army Reserve. Some of his war honors were found in the rubble.

One searcher said, "We're coming across his plaques and his medals and everything that he had gotten through the service, and to be able to pull that stuff out for him and save it for him is going to mean a lot, too."

People are finding many ways to help. The Newman family has children who were classmates with some of the Johnson children. The Newmans is purchasing bracelets with the Johnson's name on them.

Richard Newman said, "Pray for Sarah and pray for Katie, who's in very bad condition right now, and hope for the best. Life goes on. That's what they would do. They were full of life, this family."