Support Anne after House & Car Fire

Dear Friends and Family of Anne and Gabriela.

My name is Elisa Armstrong and Anne is my dear sister-in-law. Last night (July 21, 2023), my husband, Andrew, got a phone call from a frantic woman. I couldn't tell who it was from the voice. It was a woman in distress, crying, trying to communicate something. I looked at Andrew's phone as he was up and getting dressed to go and saw the name ANNE ARMSTRONG on the phone just as I heard Anne's voice and understood the words she was trying to say: "My house is on fire."

I immediately called 911 for her address and was told that the fire department was already on the scene, thanks be to God.

Meanwhile, Andrew went over to be with Anne and Gabriela, who live 10 minutes from us. I told him to bring them to us and started preparing their beds here at our home. We hadn't heard yet if Gabriela was safe. We waited to hear that everyone was safe.

Anne had been sitting on her couch while 6-year-old Gabriela was peacefully sleeping in her bedroom upstairs. Anne saw fire out her kitchen window, the wooden wall separating her and her neighbor's wooden patios, engulfed in flames. Anne immediately ran upstairs to get her daughter out of the house. Gabriela's bedroom curtains were melting and the screens in the windows were on fire.

Anne and Gabriela got safely out of the burning home.

Anne's house, wooden patio, and attached wooden garage were in flames. Anne's car in the garage was completely incinerated. See photo. This was Anne's dream car, the nicest car she's ever owned and she's had the car for just almost a year.

Anne's townhouse, was part of a quad, and this was the first home she owned. She had spent the past couple of years getting settled and making a beautiful home for herself and Gabriela.

We just celebrated Gabriela's 6th birthday on the very patio that caught fire. Gabriela is beginning to realize that all her possessions, all her brand-new birthday gifts, favorite loveys and toys, are likely a pile of wet ash on the floor of her former safe home.

We have not been able to get a good look at the house yet, but from the amount of flames and water the fire department used to flood the building, there is likely to be complete damage.

Anne cannot go through her items yet to see if anything is salvaged, though we will go see what we can from the outside. First, the fire department will clear it and then the insurance adjuster has to get a good look at things before Anne can really go through and see if anything was saved. Of course, the insurance guy isn't coming by til Monday.

Meanwhile, Anne and Gabriela are safe here in Chanhassen with Andrew and I and Gabriela's cousins. They can stay here as long as needed.

WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE?

Anne's neighbor had a bonfire on the patio that got out of control.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

MONEY:

I have set the bar for $20,000 for this Go Fund Me page. I want to leave room for people to give any amount they like and not underestimate anyone's generosity. Any amount helps. Anne and Gabriela have nothing but the smoky clothes on their backs. No shoes, no purse, no car, no nothing. Anne, a single mom, has to take off work for an unknown amount of time to get all the affairs in order.

I went to the store this morning to get them undergarments, clothing, and shoes.

The money you donate through this Go Fund Me fundraiser will go directly to Anne Armstrong to use how she wishes.

GIFT CARDS: Target, Walmart, Cub Foods, Culvers.

CLOTHING:

Anne is an XL. Shoe size 8.

Gabriela is a 5T or 4/5 XS. Shoes 10/11.

We appreciate any hand-me-downs.

HOUSEHOLD & PERSONAL CARE:

We will take any amount of donations of anything.

Eventually, ALL SURPLUS CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS WILL be donated to Sharing Caring Hands.

We are collecting anything and everything for Anne and Gabriela.

Thank you for your help in giving Anne and Gabriela HOPE & SUPPORT to rebuild their home and future.

May God bless you and reward you.

The photo that Anne and Gabriela took this morning, showing everyone that they are safe.

Anne's home in flames.

Sad remnants of Anne's car.