Fire to the Gouge Family home

On January 13th 2024, Aaron, Amber, and Jackson’s home caught fire above their living room due to an electrical deficiency. Amber and Jackson were in the home mid-afternoon when she noticed a distinct smell but were unable to locate where it was coming from. When Aaron arrived, they opened their attic where they were able to see smoke but by the time the fire department arrived, the flames had started.

The fire caused over a 10 foot cut out of their living room/kitchen ceiling which has grown due to necessary cut outs to contain any toxins that spread. With their open floor plan and some trouble with locating the source, majority of their living area and garage were affected by the fire and smoke.

Luckily with the help of family and friends, basic items needed to get through the next two months in their Airbnb are taken care of. However, with their home being a remodel, it is going to cost a tremendous amount of money out of pocket to get their home back up to code along with the damage. Due to the age of the bones of the home and their deductible, they are looking at thousands of dollars of repairs that would not be covered under insurance.

Aaron is a Head Coach for men’s wheelchair basketball at the University of Texas at Arlington as well as a Team USA wheelchair basketball athlete. He is in the bulk of his seasons and will be away majority of the next 6-8 months.

Amber is a full time nurse team leader at Children’s Health Dallas in the cancer ward. Along with having two year old Jackson, who is in daycare, their biggest need is raising the funds to take care of out of pockets costs to repair their home.

As a friend of Amber’s for over 15 years (almost 20) and of Aaron for at least 10 years, I know how much they go out of their way to help others instead of themselves. My husband and I could never repay them for their friendship and love throughout this time but, with my husband leading the restoration on their home, we understand that their need is more than basic necessities. Their family and ours is blended from Tennessee all the way to Texas and I feel like this is the least we can do to help.

We want Aaron to be comfortable striving and working for a Gold Medal in Paris, France Paralympics this year and Amber to be in her home and comfortable with Jackson and her dogs, Abby and Lucy, without having to worry about where they will need to move next. My goal is to raise enough to cover out of pocket costs for them to get back into their daily routine and back to their comfortable home so we can all cheer Aaron on at the end of the summer.

I know that this family spends all of their time giving back to the ones that they love and never turn a blind eye to someone in need. If it were possible, I know that I would give them every last cent I had for the friends they have been to me.

We ask for your prayers, first and foremost, that we all give thanks for the things that we do have. As one big family, we will make it through the rough times and ask that if you feel you are in a position to help, please donate to get our friends back in their home.

-Morgan and Chris Hill

***These funds will be deposited directly to Amber and Aaron through their accounts***