Hello friends, family, and kind strangers,

We never imagined we’d be in a position where we needed to ask for help, but here we are—humbled and hopeful. Our family of five has faced one challenge after another, and we are struggling to keep up. We could use a little support to get back on our feet.

I am a special education teacher, and my husband has always been a hard worker, most recently as a farm manager in Black Mountain, NC. But when Hurricane Helene hit, everything changed. The farm he managed was devastated—floodwaters washed away pastures, bridges, and fencing, and he had no way to get there in time to save three of the horses. That loss was not only heartbreaking, but it also left him without a job.

While we were grateful that our home only sustained minor basement flooding and missing shingles, the financial and emotional toll of rebuilding has been overwhelming. My husband searched for work, and in the meantime, we fell behind on bills. He has since started driving for Uber full-time, working long hours to keep us afloat, but we’ve faced a string of costly emergencies that have set us back even further.

- Our washing machine broke and leaked all over the hallway.

- Our dishwasher shorted out and caused a small electrical fire.

- And now, our van’s transmission has failed, leaving us without reliable transportation for work, school, and daily life. This also means Blake can't Uber.

-On top of all of this, I've been experiencing excruciating and more frequent pain that is requiring many medical visits, as we explore my new diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia.

We don’t qualify for a loan due to the financial strain we endured while my husband was unemployed, and we’ve exhausted every avenue we could think of. We are doing everything we can to stay afloat, but we are at a breaking point.

If you are able to contribute, no matter how small, it would mean the world to our family. Your kindness will help us repair our van, catch up on essential home repairs, pay for medical bills, and give us a chance to regain stability. If you can’t donate, please consider sharing our story. We deeply appreciate any support—prayers, shares, or words of encouragement.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

With gratitude,

Shanna & The Peele Family