Micah Mumford appears to be the most popular guy at Mountain Brook High School, even though he graduated from high school a decade ago and it wasn't that high school.

The 28-year-old Pratt City man has spent the last 10 years serving up lunch to the Mountain Brook students, always delivering their food with encouragement and a smile. Now, they're giving back to the man who they say has always been a shining example of God's love.

The house that Mumford shares with his cousin, Baxter Clark, was destroyed by fire Thursday morning. Less than 24 hours later, about $20,000 had been raised in GoFundMe accounts supported by former and current students, as well as other friends of Mumford.

"Sometimes it takes losing all you have to realize none of it matters,'' Mumford said. "There's not enough thank-yous to say thank you to everybody."

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service responded to Mumford's home in the 900 block of Sixth Place Pratt Wednesday night on an electrical issue when Clark arrived home from work and noticed an odd smell. Firefighters called in Alabama Power to shut off the electricity and the ceiling in Clark's bedroom was demolished as they tried to find the source of the burning odor.

They thought the worst was over, and both men went to spend the night with Mumford's mother not far away. They were awakened, however, in the predawn hours by news that the fire had returned with a vengeance.

"We most definitely didn't expect to wake up to the whole house on fire,'' Clark said. "That was the last thing we wanted. We pulled up and saw nothing but flames."

It took firefighters about two hours to extinguish the blaze and when it was out, there was nothing left. Both Mumford and Clark said they hadn't taken anything with them when they left to spend the night away because they thought all was OK.

Mumford, a die-hard Alabama fan, is most distraught over his collection of Crimson Tide clothing and memorabilia. "Nothing was saved,'' Mumford said. "Nothing mattered at the time."

There is a collection box at Mountain Brook High School for clothing for the two men, Mumford said. Mumford wears size 42 pants, 2X shirts and a size 12 in shoes. Clark wears a 32 in pants, medium in shirts and size 9 1/2 in shoes.

There has been an outpouring of support following Wednesday's fire with at least three separate GoFundMe accounts.

Ansley Taylor Platt, a 2012 graduate of Mountain Brook High School wrote this on her GoFundMe account, which so far has raised nearly $6,000. "He has brought a smile to so many of our faces in his time at MBHS. As a graduate of 2012, I looked forward to going to school everyday and seeing Micah. When Micah lost everything in this fire, his first words were "Praise God!" because no one was in the house. This is just one example of how Micah wakes up every morning thankful for God's blessings no matter the circumstances. Micah has always served as an example of God's love, so lets show him the same by providing some financial relief in order for him to buy necessary clothing, household items, and groceries during this time."

Another campaign, on behalf of Mountain Brook High Students, had raised about $12,000 by midday Friday. "Micah brings a positive and encouraging attitude to all of the students and staff every day,'' according to organizers for that account.

And yet a third account, started by friend KaTeysha Anderson, has netted more than $2,000. This is what she wrote: "We all know Micah "Cheeze" Mumford & we know that he's always the first to help when something is going on. Now it's our turn to help him. On December 7th his home burned down & he lost everything including all his Alabama gear (and we all know how much Cheeze loves Bama). I know it's around the holiday & funds may be tight, but anything to help such a wonderful person would be appreciated."

Mumford said the support and love is overwhelming. "It means everything,'' he said. "It means change. It means rebirth. It means I'm going to rebuild and start over."

Anyone who would like to help the men with their rebuilding efforts can donate at any of these three links: