Dear friends, family, and community, 

On Thursday, April 9th, 2026, early in the morning, our friend, Mark Devenpeck, lost his home in Altamont which was destroyed by a devastating house fire. While we are incredibly thankful that he made it out safely, he has lost absolutely everything—sentimental items, clothing, furniture, and his safe haven. He has also lost his cherished cat named Cow who actually help save his life by alerting him.

Mark and the Devenpeck family are hardworking, kind, and always the first to help others. Now, he needs our help. He is currently staying at a neighbors home on Settles Hill in Altamont and is facing the overwhelming task of replacing every single item needed for daily life. 

This fundraiser is set up to help the Mark with: 

• Immediate temporary housing costs

• Replacing clothing and essential items

• Initial costs for rebuilding his life.

During the time of this event, while being trapped in the second floor of this house, Mark had a moment with God where he wondered if this was his time. When he went to the corner room upstairs he opened a window and his roomate Chris was outside yelling that he had to get out. Mark said to Chris that he did not think he could get out and Chris countered that with “you can get out and have to get out.” Chris climbed up a tree, to the fence post and then the second story roof but fell backwards off the roof. Seeing Chris do this gave Mark the idea that if he could break through the window he had a pathway down to the ground. So he took his grandmother’s antique lamp with a hard base and used it as a battering ram, smashing the window until it shattered. He climbed out in bare feet, a pair of jeans and no socks or shoes. He and Chris were taken to the hospital and released the next day. He was told by professionals in this field that he had about 60 seconds left to live.

Mark needs our support to help him rebuild after this devastating loss. Let’s come together to raise money to help support Mark. Please share this page with your networks. We ask that you also keep Mark in your thoughts and prayers. 

Thank you for your generosity and kindness during this nightmare.