Fire Displaces Karen Carter and Daughters

On Saturday, January 25th, 2025, tragedy struck our dear friend and colleague. Karen Carter, a beacon of optimism, compassion, and patience, was forced from her home due to a tragic fire. Her youngest daughter, who was traumatically caught in the fire, was overwhelmed by a dangerous level of smoke inhalation. Thankfully, she was treated by excellent pediatric medical professionals after being helicoptered to Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, where she is expected to recover. While they are still shaken by their losses and the violation of their sense of safety, the family looks to the day that they can move beyond this accident, recovering not just a home made up of precious memories and possessions but also their faith in the safety that a home fundamentally represents for a family.

Karen and her daughters escaped this misfortune with only the items they had on them at the time as their home was made inaccessible and uninhabitable. Their home suffered incredible damage not only due to the fire and smoke throughout their modest Virginia home but also from the damage caused by the fire and rescue teams that needed to get into the home using water to put out all signs of the fire. What wasn't burned or overwhelmed by smoke was damaged and ruined by the water that followed. Karen prays that the repairs will happen quickly and that she and her daughters will be able to one day return to the home where she invested so much to provide for her family, but with very little surviving the fire, she must start over.

We want Karen to know that starting over does not mean starting alone. Through this GoFundMe, we hope to send a powerful message that someone who has been there as a helpful hand offering assistance to those in need should know that she is surrounded by people that will answer the call and be there for her when the time comes. For Karen and her two daughters, the greatest need is now. Please contribute to this fund that will go directly to Karen supporting her and her family during this season of need providing replacement clothing for her and daughters, food, medical treatments for the physical and mental wounds, housing, and other life support needs to help her recover and rebound.