On Thursday, December 12, our friend Ben lost his home in a devastating house fire. At the time, Ben, his roommate, his three dogs, and his pet bird were all home. The situation was terrifying, but thankfully, everyone made it out safely. Ben, however, sustained second and third-degree burns on his hands, back, and face as he bravely went back into the house to rescue his 12-year-old Landseer Newfoundland, Walker. He is currently recovering in the ICU burn unit, where he will be for at least another week.

Sadly, the fire destroyed all of Ben's personal belongings and cherished mementos. Ben is a mixed media artist who makes his livelihood through his hands, but due to his burn injuries, he will be limited in his ability to create and sell his work for the foreseeable future. Any funds raised will go directly into a trust to support Ben as he navigates this difficult time. These donations will help cover immediate expenses, and replace 25 years of art supplies and equipment that was lost in the fire.

Our neighborhood community is devastated by this event, especially so close to the holidays. Ben's positive spirit is infectious, and he continues to show resilience as he battles through the physical and emotional challenges of this loss.

Thank you for considering a donation. Every amount will make a significant difference in Ben’s recovery as he rebuilds his life.

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