A Heartfelt Plea after Family Fire- Kim and Heather Cornell

I'm sharing this story with a shattered heart, but with high hopes of some sort of restoration. This is my family. They mean everything and need all the help.

Help Heather and Kim Rebuild After a Devastating House Fire

My dear niece, my friend, my Punkin, Heather Cornell and my sister in law Kim Cornell, have endured an unimaginable tragedy. Their home, a rustic cabin in the woods where they lived simply and peacefully, caught fire. There was barely enough time to escape. Heather suffered painful burns and lost everything—including her beloved pets.

The Cornells live humbly, beneath their means, almost off the grid. Despite the efforts, no insurance company would cover this remote dwelling. Now it’s all gone.

Heather is currently being cared for by a close friend who has stayed by her side day and night, even in the burn unit. But healing takes time, and recovery is long- physically, emotionally, and financially. The medical bills are already piling up. Heather fled her home with only the clothes on her back.

We are asking for any help you can offer- financial support, gift cards, access to trauma care, or simply sharing this story. Does such a thing exist as support from fire victims? As someone who’s experienced deep trauma, I know how hard it is to find the right kind of support for PTSD, let alone afford it. I'm still confident we can make them whole again.

Heather has a heart as big as they come and a sharp, wonderful sense of humor. Her mother, Kim Cornell, where Heather got that heart of gold, who often shared this home, was away working for the season and rushed back to be by her side. Together, they've always looked out for others, and now they need us to look out for them.

Interesting info on this historic rustic cabin! "Trails End" was built as a one room shack by the Luntz Family in 1958. In 1961, Bill Cornell joined the crew of Frannie and 2 others, and with leftover material from Bell Telephone, the other three rooms were built on. Bill acquired the property in 1976 with Kim permanently moving in in 2009. It may not have seemed like much to others, but to them it was everything. Although it is gone, a lifetime of memories remain, within the empty shell.

They would like to thank the Tionesta, Hickory, and Washington Fire Departments for all their help, along with friends and family who have sent up their prayers.

If you’re in a position to give, or even just to spread the word, please do. Your help, any form of it, means more than words can say.

*edited to add* ❤️After reviewing the costs of cleanup and a modest rebuild, we've increased the fundraiser goal to $20,000. Heather is taking necessary time off to heal from her injuries and navigate the overwhelming aftermath of the fire. In addition, Kim had to leave her seasonal job in Yellowstone, which has added another layer of financial strain.

This journey is far from over, but every bit of support has carried them through the darkest days. We are deeply grateful and are humbly asking for your continued generosity, through donations, shares, and kind words. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

With gratitude,

Andrea Zoller