First off, Hello and thank you to everyone who even looks at this post. I cannot tell you how much I am at a loss for words to anyone who takes the time to read this story, and share it with who ever might be willing to helping a family in need.

My name is Chris Martin. At 5:30 pm tonight I received a call from my brother Brandon letting me know that my mothers house had burned down. The first few seconds I thought it was a bad joke, but judging by his voice I quickly realized it was no joke. I had no idea what to do but I knew I had to be there. In a sort of haze I quickly grabbed my keys and left. As I was approaching the house all I could see was fire trucks and emergency vehicles. I quickly found my family standing out front. Thank god they all were out at the time, shopping for dinner. The house was gone though. Nothing remained but burning wood and foundation. My mother was crying, my brothers were trying to comfort her. Unfortunately our dogs were inside dogs and our cat was inside as well. We always had inside animals because we wanted to keep them safe and sound. We always thought of our pets as a part of the family. They're gone now... as well as everything my family had in that house. Besides the animals, our biggest loss would be our father. We had had a small shrine for him set up with his cowboy hat, boots and urn containing his ashes. Robert Black was a great man. He raised a family that wasn't his own but treated all of us like his own. Robert died of a heart attack on December 30, 2011. The day before new years eve. This shook my family hard, but no one could have taken it harder than my mother, his wife, Lindy Black. Robert and Lynn had been together for 17 years. After he passed I called my mom everyday, every morning for months. As far back as I can remember Robert had been there for the whole family. It is only because of my parents that my siblings and I have such a strong family bond. Nothing can ever replace this loss. What we can do, what we have to do is continue on. My youngest brother, Robert Jr. my sister Jessika, her fiancé Matt and 6 month old son Zander, and my mother have lost everything the owned besides the cloths on their backs. Any help, no matter how small a donation will help to buy cloths, food, formula, personal hygiene products and basic human necessities. As for a place to stay. We don't really know as of right now what is going to happen. For now everyone will be staying where ever they can. That means a lot more people than beds.

Anything you can do to help, anything at all is appreciated. Even something as simple as spreading the word.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone who took the time to read.