Help Us Rebuild Our Lives

Katrina Martinez is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Susan Heller.

Donation protected

Hi everyone.

My name is Katrina Martinez and I currently attend Williams College in Massachussetts. When I'm not in school, I live with my mom and little brother in North Port, FL. A couple of weeks ago while my mom was at the store, my little brother noticed smoke coming through the vents and the power in our home went off. He soon realized our home was on fire. While we live close to the fire station, the fire ravaged our home and we can no longer live there. We have lost everything except each other. With that said, I am asking for this money so that we can find a place to live as well as purchase some basic appliances like a washer and dryer as well as beds. My brother and mom are currently couch surfing and staying at hotels on some nights. This home for us was so much more than a home. It was my mom's first home by herself without being financially dependent on anyone. During my freshman year of high school she worked so hard to get the three of us a home and by my sophomore year she had. It was extremely hard at the beginning and I remember having to take our clothes to the laundromat every week and scrimp and save to make sure we made the rent. There was even a period of time where she had to sleep on a couch a family friend gave us because she didn't have enough money to buy herself a bed. But it was our home. She worked so hard to get us what we needed and she was eventually able to purchase a washer, dryer, couches, and beds for her and my brother. She is truly a superhero and my inspiration. Unfortunately the fire took all of our beds, our washer, our dryer, our couch, dishes, clothes, priceless family mementos, our sense of security and safety and most importantly, our home. Our home wasn't much but it was ours. With that said, I would be eternally greatful for any help. This money would be used for a down payment on a place to live as well as for things like beds, dishes, anything to just get us situated until we can continue to rebuild. I just want my brother and mom to feel safe again so any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you for your time.