Story

On February 18, Mark, a disabled Vietnam-era veteran, admitted himself to the Port Easter Seals Crisis Unit during a mental health emergency.

Tragically, the very next day — February 19 — while he was still receiving treatment, his home burned to the ground.

He lost everything.

We are raising funds to help Mark clear the burned debris from his property, repair the access road, and eventually place a used camper on the land so he has a safe place to live again.

Mark did not have homeowners insurance, so there is no coverage available to help rebuild the home or clear the property. What remains is a fire-damaged structure and debris that must be removed before any rebuilding can begin.

Right now, compassionate neighbors have opened their home and are allowing Mark to stay in a spare room while he figures out what to do next. Their kindness has been a blessing, but it is only a temporary situation.

Mark has lived on this small piece of land for years and has always tried to live quietly and independently.

He hopes to remain on the land he has called home for so long. The property still has a detached garage, but it does not have electricity or running water. His goal is to eventually make the land livable again in some form.

Mark is also known for caring for a small colony of cats on the property. There are about 12 cats, all spayed or neutered and vaccinated for rabies. They have been part of his daily life for years, and continuing to care for them is very important to him.

Unfortunately, the property is now in very rough condition after the fire, and several major steps must happen before any type of housing can be placed there.

What Needs to Be Done

• Multiple 20-yard dumpsters will be needed to remove fire debris and damaged belongings from the property

• The dirt access road leading to the property is in very poor condition and needs gravel (“crush and run”) and equipment to make it safely passable

• The burned structure will eventually need to be removed once the surrounding debris is cleared

• A used camper (approximately 25–30 feet) could provide simple shelter on the property once access is repaired

Our Goal

We are starting with a goal of $5,000 to help cover the first critical steps:

• Cleanup and debris removal

• Repairing the access road so vehicles and equipment can reach the property

• A basic power solution such as a generator

• Beginning to save toward a used camper for temporary shelter

These first steps would help Mark begin rebuilding some stability after losing his entire home.

Mark served his country. Now he needs the support of his community.

All funds will be withdrawn by the organizer and used directly to help Mark with cleanup, property access, and basic shelter needs.

Losing a home overnight is devastating. With a little help from the community, Mark can begin clearing the damage and take the first steps toward having a safe place to live again.

If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser. Every share helps more people see Mark’s story.

Any support — whether donations, equipment help, or contractor assistance — would mean the world