Hard Time for Hardtimes - Disaster Relief

Hi, my name is Imani Miller. I’m 17 years old and a soon-to-be high school graduate, Class of 2025.

I’m making this GoFundMe for my grandfather, Darnell Forest, who means the world to me.

On Friday, May 16, a tornado hit St. Louis and caused serious damage, especially to areas that were already struggling. These are neighborhoods where people have lived for over 30 years, owning their homes and building tight-knit communities. Unfortunately, many of them don’t have the funds to just pick up and leave or rebuild. This storm was completely unexpected and has deeply hurt a lot of people, my grandfather included.

My grandpa is 73 years old, and he’s someone everyone in the neighborhood knows and loves. Most people know him by Hardtimes, and right now he's surely going through a hard time. His home was a safe space for so many, a place people could go if they needed a warm meal, a place to stay, or just a good laugh. He’s hilarious, kind, and never hesitates to help others. He’s originally from a small town in Mississippi, where 

his mother and family still lives. He was the only boy in the family, and he’s been holding it down here in STL for decades.

He’s owned his house for over 30 years. It wasn’t just his home; it was also his workspace. My grandpa does body work on cars in his backyard to make ends meet. That house was everything: his job, his shelter, and his peace.

Now, he’s left with nothing. His house is unlivable, and he doesn’t have the resources to rebuild or relocate. Like many in the neighborhood, he’s torn between leaving and staying because of the fear of looting and the deep attachment to his home and community.

We’re raising money to help with temporary housing, food, rebuilding, and restoring his life. Any amount helps, and if you can’t donate right now, we’d still be so grateful if you could share this link with others and say a prayer for him and everyone affected.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. It truly means a lot.