Christian and Amy Windstorm Fund

A windstorm destroyed our car and smashed our house.

The Storm

The wind was strong enough to steal the breath from your lungs. Having just arrived home from teaching classes, we found against the gusts to the shelter of our home. Soon after, we had just started making lunch when came the crash of shattering glass and a boom overhead shook the house like an earthquake, throwing objects from their shelves.

When the house settled, we ran to the front picture window to see our formerly healthy 50-year-old tree had blown over and was now embedded in our house and car. Inside, a deep crack now ran across the ceiling of our living/dining room and dry wall lay in pieces beside our front door, which was now completely blocked outside by the downed tree.

Rushing out the back door, we sloshed through the muddy grass to find that the tree had bust through the roof in multiple places and a limb the size of a 20-year-old tree had demolished our car’s frame and rear windows.

The Car

The 12-year-old Acura we bought just over a year ago was a huge emotional and financial investment for us. After years of having cars that no sooner came home from the shop before they were headed back again, we did our homework. Consumer Reports said this was the car to buy, and when we found it, we fell in love. Though it was old, it looked new, was comfortable, and they were right: it was reliable. For the first time since we married 10 years ago, we had a reliable vehicle. The car not only made it possible for us to go places without fear of breaking down, but it gave us something to be proud of and embodied the hope we had that things were in fact getting better for us. That is, until the tree fell on it.

The car has been totaled, and due to depreciation and the full warranty we purchased, we are left unable to purchase a new vehicle as we continue to pay on the loan for a vehicle we no longer have.

Meanwhile, our 16-year-old Jeep continues to fall apart. It was spared the day the tree came down because it was in the shop (as always) after the bolts holding up the emergency brake box rusted out and the box was hanging inches from the ground, held only by the brake lines. We don’t know how much longer our local repair shop will be able to continue to piece the truck back together, but we are afraid to drive it far.

Who We Are

Christian has taught guitar lessons for 20 years, and we both teach writing as adjunct instructors for the University of Akron and Stark State College. We also write books (4 novels, one kids’ books, and two guitar method books to date). Last year, we started our own publishing company. We live on small paychecks and a lot of hope that if we keep working hard and doing our best, the paychecks will slowly get bigger and the stress of making sure there’s money for rent and food will one day get smaller.

As writers, we know that it is when people face immense challenges that they are given the opportunity to show what they are made of. In recent years, we have faced these kinds of challenges through illness, loss of pregnancy, financial hardship, break-ins that destroyed and removed our property, and more. We are beaten but not broken. And we are not giving up. We still have stories to write, students to teach, and books to publish. Please help us get back on our feet to continue to share our knowledge and our stories with the world.

Please help us spread the word!

-Amy Joy and Christian (CN James)