From Fire to Hope: A New Start for My Dad

Hello, my name is Rebecca Carter, and I’m creating this fundraiser for my dad, Marty Schoonover — a quiet, proud, hard-working man who has suffered more in the past few years than anyone should ever have to face.

On February 18th, 2020, my dad’s mobile home caught fire and burned completely to the ground. It was an older trailer, and unfortunately, it was uninsured. There was nothing left to save. In a matter of hours, he lost his home, his belongings, his peace of mind — and his sense of stability.

Shortly after the fire, he was hospitalized with burn injuries and smoke inhalation, barely making it out alive.

This photo was taken just days after the fire. He had survived — but lost everything.

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Since that day, he’s been living in a small camper on his property in Bath, Illinois — not by choice, but because it’s all he could afford.

At first, the camper had no water, no heat, no air, and no electricity. Over time, we’ve been able to patch a few things together — he now has water and air — but the electrical wiring shorts out constantly, and it’s a real fire and safety hazard.

Even worse, the camper has caught fire multiple times already. The one he’s in now is falling apart — it doesn’t even have a working door, leaving him completely vulnerable to weather, animals, and more damage.

Inside the current camper. Fire damage, no door, and no insulation — and this is still the best he has right now.

This was all that remained of my dad’s home after the fire in 2020. No insurance. No chance to rebuild.

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My dad is 61 years old. He’s not a veteran. He’s not on disability. He’s not collecting social assistance. He’s just a hardworking man who slipped through the cracks. And for five long years, he has quietly endured this — surviving in silence, never asking anyone for help.

But I’m asking now.

Because he deserves better. Because this is no way for anyone to live. Because the system failed him — and now I’m turning to the kindness of strangers to help us find a way forward.

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What We’re Trying to Do

We’re trying to raise enough to get him into a safe, stable place to live — whether it’s a gently used mobile home, a reliable camper, or even a tiny home he can call his own.

Something that:

• Has working power, heat, and water

• Isn’t falling apart

• Won’t catch fire again

• Most of all: somewhere he can have his grandbabies over without being afraid they’ll be hurt

More than anything, my dad wants to be “Papa” again — to laugh with his grandkids, to share meals, and to simply be present in their lives. Right now, it’s too unsafe for them to visit.

Your donation isn’t just helping him get shelter. You’re giving him hope, safety, dignity, and family again.

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How You Can Help

I’ve spent countless nights on the phone, sending emails, reaching out to agencies, and praying. But I can’t do this alone anymore.

Even a $5 donation can help us get closer to a safe home. If you can’t give, sharing this story could help us reach someone who can.

Marty is located in Bath, Illinois (Mason County)

Contact: Rebecca Carter

GoFundMe Link: https://gofund.me/7602192c

From the bottom of my heart — thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping us try to give my dad the peace, safety, and comfort he deserves.

With love,

Rebecca Carter