Casper Family Flood and Emergency Relief Fund
Donation protected
Nebraskans are the epitome of hard working, raised with Midwestern values of Faith, Family and Community. We are also a strong and prideful type- humble above all so it does not come as a surprise that creating this plea for financial relief was a difficult decision for my family. My husband Carey, my Mother Marlene. and our amazing children, are among the thousands of Nebraskans and Iowans affected by the Floods of 2019. County living is how I was raised- off a quiet dirt road a quarter mile south of Highway 92; our family's property is situated in the picturesque plains between the Platte and Elkhorn Rivers. It was only natural that when we started a family of our own, there was only one place we dreamed of raising our children- in the same house, on the same property to which I was raised.
Living near the rivers has always had so many advantages, but I cannot think of a year where the word 'flood' was not mentioned. Year after year, we have been blessed as flood waters have not threatened our livelihood and country living continued as normal. On the morning of March 16th, that all changed. We awoke to find the flood waters had engulfed nearly all of our 5 acres, and was within 200 feet of our home. My husband and I made the decision to evacuate. Reminiscent of Noah's Arc, my husband and I, my mother, our 3 children, 2 Great Danes, 2 Yorkie puppies, 1 black Labrador, and our beloved miniature pig, Honey, sought dry shelter at my in-laws- country invades town at it's finest.
Like most people uprooted by the flood waters, we were eager to return to our home. The next day, we ventured back out to our property- upon first sight, we felt so fortunate as we know that our house was still standing which was more than others can declare at this time. Immediately, we discovered the lane (driveway as many not from the country would call it), was completely in disrepair. A lifted Jeep or a 4 wheel drive truck was our only saving grace for venturing up the lane. This will need to be entirely replaced in order to allow access to our home. My mother has not been able to make it off the property in her car to make the drive to work.
A survey of the property revealed tipped over propane tanks, a lower level suffering from flooding--the furnace, hot water heater, and pressure tank, a classic car and too many belongings to mention, submerged in water- a total loss. We currently have no hot water, we are heating our home by the pellet stove, and the pallet of pellets we purchased at the beginning of the winter season, became yet another casualty of flood waters.
As the waters recede, the emotional and financial reality flood our thoughts. The flood waters will never wash out our memories, nor will it deter us from rebuilding and replacing what was lost but we are in desperate need of monetary donations in order to resurface from this catastrophe. If you have any amount to offer, we will forever be grateful "For your giving ways, we will forever give you praise!" Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Living near the rivers has always had so many advantages, but I cannot think of a year where the word 'flood' was not mentioned. Year after year, we have been blessed as flood waters have not threatened our livelihood and country living continued as normal. On the morning of March 16th, that all changed. We awoke to find the flood waters had engulfed nearly all of our 5 acres, and was within 200 feet of our home. My husband and I made the decision to evacuate. Reminiscent of Noah's Arc, my husband and I, my mother, our 3 children, 2 Great Danes, 2 Yorkie puppies, 1 black Labrador, and our beloved miniature pig, Honey, sought dry shelter at my in-laws- country invades town at it's finest.
Like most people uprooted by the flood waters, we were eager to return to our home. The next day, we ventured back out to our property- upon first sight, we felt so fortunate as we know that our house was still standing which was more than others can declare at this time. Immediately, we discovered the lane (driveway as many not from the country would call it), was completely in disrepair. A lifted Jeep or a 4 wheel drive truck was our only saving grace for venturing up the lane. This will need to be entirely replaced in order to allow access to our home. My mother has not been able to make it off the property in her car to make the drive to work.
A survey of the property revealed tipped over propane tanks, a lower level suffering from flooding--the furnace, hot water heater, and pressure tank, a classic car and too many belongings to mention, submerged in water- a total loss. We currently have no hot water, we are heating our home by the pellet stove, and the pallet of pellets we purchased at the beginning of the winter season, became yet another casualty of flood waters.
As the waters recede, the emotional and financial reality flood our thoughts. The flood waters will never wash out our memories, nor will it deter us from rebuilding and replacing what was lost but we are in desperate need of monetary donations in order to resurface from this catastrophe. If you have any amount to offer, we will forever be grateful "For your giving ways, we will forever give you praise!" Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Organizer
Sarai Page Casper
Organizer
Waterloo, NE
