Help Katelyn After the Fire in TN
Donation protected
Many are unaware of the devastating fire that raged through Gatlinburg, TN on the night of November 28th. My niece, Katelyn Hillmeyer was among those evacuated, driving through flames to reach safety. Katelyn works for the Student Conservation Corps through AmeriCorps for The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Through her job at the National Park she was made aware of the sudden emergency as a wildfire blew out of control.
She was evacuated from the park and drove to her rented cabin in Gatlinburg to grab a few items. While taking things to her car she noticed her neighbors were home but apparently asleep and unaware of the approaching danger. She stopped what she was doing to wake them and help them, a single mom and teenage daughter. Once again accessing the situation, she realized the need to leave immediately, in doing so left many things behind.
Katelyn is an amateur photographer, talented artist, and outdoor enthusiast. She was able to get a small backpack with a few clothes, a sleeping bag, and laptop computer but she lost everything else in this fire including the rest of her clothes, shoes (if you know Katelyn - you know about the shoes), household supplies, her camera and lenses and art supplies. She has renters insurance, but it will cover only a portion of what she has lost or even needs to replace to live once she finds another place to rent.
I didn't really want to set a goal for this fund but it's required. I know that many are in need of help, but if you can donate anything we would be so appreciative. As her aunt, I can only say how very thankful I would be to each of you as I am at a loss on how to help more than this being so far away in Arizona. I assure you the funds will be used to make her whole again after this tragedy as she will be using them for clothing, personal and household goods such as towels, pots and pans, and the like as she works to get back on her feet. She will have access to the funds to have them directly deposited into her bank account and her mom is on her way to help her get the things she needs and make sure she is OK.
She was evacuated from the park and drove to her rented cabin in Gatlinburg to grab a few items. While taking things to her car she noticed her neighbors were home but apparently asleep and unaware of the approaching danger. She stopped what she was doing to wake them and help them, a single mom and teenage daughter. Once again accessing the situation, she realized the need to leave immediately, in doing so left many things behind.
Katelyn is an amateur photographer, talented artist, and outdoor enthusiast. She was able to get a small backpack with a few clothes, a sleeping bag, and laptop computer but she lost everything else in this fire including the rest of her clothes, shoes (if you know Katelyn - you know about the shoes), household supplies, her camera and lenses and art supplies. She has renters insurance, but it will cover only a portion of what she has lost or even needs to replace to live once she finds another place to rent.
I didn't really want to set a goal for this fund but it's required. I know that many are in need of help, but if you can donate anything we would be so appreciative. As her aunt, I can only say how very thankful I would be to each of you as I am at a loss on how to help more than this being so far away in Arizona. I assure you the funds will be used to make her whole again after this tragedy as she will be using them for clothing, personal and household goods such as towels, pots and pans, and the like as she works to get back on her feet. She will have access to the funds to have them directly deposited into her bank account and her mom is on her way to help her get the things she needs and make sure she is OK.
Organizer
Barbara Davis
Organizer
Gatlinburg, TN
