Neighbors erase graffiti before family returns from vacation

A Washington homeowner is thanking his community for shielding his family from a hate crime.

Police are trying to figure out who spray painted racial slurs on Marvin Philips' house and truck.

However, it's a crime he and his family will never see for themselves.

They were on vacation at the time and their neighbors jumped into action.

"Frankly it doesn't matter that I don't know them. It was a wrong thing that needed to be righted so we took care of it," Mike Vanderhoof of the Thurston County Fire District said.

Dozens of volunteers spent the weekend scrubbing, painting, and erasing the hate.

They finished just before the family pulled into their driveway.

"I'm shocked, I really am. I'm grateful," homeowner Marvin Phillips said.

Phillips says the graffiti was unfortunately something he has heard and seen before.

But he's especially thankful to know his children didn't have to witness it, all because of his small town's generosity.