Help for the Stokes Family (Emergency Aid)

On Monday, August 7, an EF2 tornado unexpectedly blew through West Knoxville, destroying 75% of the Stokes family home, where they have lived since 2014. It was a traumatic experience for Donna and her seven-year-old daughter Carly (the only ones home at the time), but thankfully, they were uninjured when 130mph winds caused a massive tree limb to slam through the roof in the main living area of their house. The rain continued to pour through the hole in the roof and further damage their home, furniture, flooring and possessions both upstairs and downstairs in the finished basement. Once the storm concluded, they were faced with the terrible reality that their home was no longer safely habitable. Despite all of this, the family readied Carly for her first day of second grade on Tuesday.

Donna and Preston have opened their home to many friends and family over the years when they needed a place to stay. In fact, a long-time family friend has been living with them since the death of his mother last year - he too is now displaced. The Stokes are the first to offer help when someone is going through a tough situation in life, even when faced with their own hardships. In January, Donna suffered an ISCHEMIA stroke and shortly afterward, immediate family members became seriously ill, requiring hospitalization and home care earlier this year.

A claim has been filed with homeowner’s insurance, but help is coming s-l-o-w-l-y, and this family, who has already been through so much this year, needs immediate relief in the form of monetary donations to cover groceries, supplies and basic necessities while they continue to search for temporary housing and navigate through this literal and figurative mess.

The amount and extent of total damage to the home have yet to be determined by an insurance adjustor, so there is no timeline for repairs or financial assistance. As of today, the tree remains lodged in the roof. A crane is needed to remove it, which may cause more damage before the roof can be tarped. These are the first of many many steps in a long road ahead for this sweet family. Please consider donating if you can.

-Audria Mincey, fundraiser organizer and long-time friend of Donna and Preston