Help James Porter who Lost Everything in Hurricane

Help Me Rebuild After Losing Everything to the Hurricane

Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

As many of you know, I've been hit hard by the recent storm. This is the third time I've faced such a loss, but this time has been particularly devastating. In the last storm, I lost my car, but this time, I lost nearly everything—the home I lived in, my belongings, and the tools I rely on to run my business. The only things I could salvage were the clothes I pulled from the mud.

Sadly, renter’s insurance isn’t available in my flood zone, so all my furniture, equipment, and personal items—over $60,000 worth—are gone. I had just invested in new equipment for upcoming work, expecting it to create revenue for the next few months, and now that opportunity has been washed away.

As someone who has always been a giver, this is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do: ask for help. I’ve always been the one to help others and donate to causes whenever I could. But now I find myself in a position where I have no choice but to reach out for support.

To add to the hardship, my landlord has given me no time to recover, insisting that everything be cleared by tomorrow, and has refused to return my deposit or last month's rent. Meanwhile, I’ve been searching for a place to stay in Pinellas, where rental prices have skyrocketed, and hotel rooms are out of reach at an average of $165 a night.

My backup funds and savings were stored in a safe that was looted, leaving me with nothing. Right now, I’m without a home, staying on friends' couches and even spending nights in my car. I am not afraid of hard work and have already contacted local crews to start rebuilding, but without the funds to replace my lost equipment, I have no way to generate income in the short term.

I am asking for your support to help me get through the next few months as I find a place to stay and work to rebuild my life. Any amount, no matter how small, would mean the world to me and help me get back on my feet. I know that with your help, I can come out of this stronger and more determined than ever. And I promise that once I am able, I will pay it forward as I always have.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness, generosity, and for being there during this incredibly difficult time. Your support means everything to me.

With Great Gratitude,

James Porter