Home Fire: Help Rose & Dave
Donation protected
On Thursday, December 12, 2013 a neighbor called Dave and Rose to tell them their house was on fire. Luckily this lovely neighbor's vigilance meant that the house was not a complete loss, and most importantly that the three dogs, cat, rabbits, and goats while a little worse for wear, all survived the fire. The bedroom and office were spared other than smoke damage, so they are hopeful that with some cleaning their clothes will be saved along with other personal items. They are currently in the midst of dealing with insurance and attempting to determine the level of loss.
Throughout all of this Dave and Rose's spirits have remained lighthearted and full of jokes, suggesting watching the movie Backdraft and having fire sales. And that is because, to quote Dave himself ":there is no tragedy here:move along:we lost some stuff. And to be honest we had too much stuff anyway." Because that is just who Dave and Rose are:strong and grounded, and clear about what is really most important in situations like these.
While Dave and Rose and their animals are safe and dry and warm now, there will be many hurdles to cross in the next several weeks and months. We all know that insurance, while helpful, moves at a glacial pace. Meanwhile Dave and Rose and their furry friends will have things that they need now. The expense of replacing just the basic necessities can be overwhelming. Many of us are wondering what we can do to help. What do they need? In time they will have specific requests as needs arise, but for now the best way to help is a donation, no matter how small. Money allows them to buy what they need now, not waiting on insurance to provide them with funds. Until they know more about the house and what will become of it, money will also allow them to prioritize what is an immediate need and what can wait. I know what you are thinking:it just doesn't seem like enough to send a donation and you want to do more to help, but I assure you, this is what will help them most right now. In time they may need more, and they will ask, and we will step forward.
So many of us are lucky to call Rose and Dave our friends and to have witnessed their kind and generous spirits first hand. For all that they have given to each of us, let us now do the same for them.
-Beth Waters Johnson
Throughout all of this Dave and Rose's spirits have remained lighthearted and full of jokes, suggesting watching the movie Backdraft and having fire sales. And that is because, to quote Dave himself ":there is no tragedy here:move along:we lost some stuff. And to be honest we had too much stuff anyway." Because that is just who Dave and Rose are:strong and grounded, and clear about what is really most important in situations like these.
While Dave and Rose and their animals are safe and dry and warm now, there will be many hurdles to cross in the next several weeks and months. We all know that insurance, while helpful, moves at a glacial pace. Meanwhile Dave and Rose and their furry friends will have things that they need now. The expense of replacing just the basic necessities can be overwhelming. Many of us are wondering what we can do to help. What do they need? In time they will have specific requests as needs arise, but for now the best way to help is a donation, no matter how small. Money allows them to buy what they need now, not waiting on insurance to provide them with funds. Until they know more about the house and what will become of it, money will also allow them to prioritize what is an immediate need and what can wait. I know what you are thinking:it just doesn't seem like enough to send a donation and you want to do more to help, but I assure you, this is what will help them most right now. In time they may need more, and they will ask, and we will step forward.
So many of us are lucky to call Rose and Dave our friends and to have witnessed their kind and generous spirits first hand. For all that they have given to each of us, let us now do the same for them.
-Beth Waters Johnson
Organizer
Elizabeth Paynter
Organizer
Martinsburg, WV
