A Sudden Crisis at Home

We are teachers at Coxsackie Elementary reaching out today with heavy hearts on behalf of a local Coxsackie-Athens family, with three young children in our school district, who has recently faced a devastating discovery. While trying to investigate a minor issue in their home, they uncovered a massive infestation of toxic black mold that had been growing silently behind the walls and underneath the floors.

This discovery has turned their lives upside down since the end of October. The mold has severely damaged the children’s bedrooms, hallway, and the shared family bathroom, making these essential spaces completely unlivable and unsafe.

While it may seem hard to believe, as the family has tried to remediate the mold infestation, their roof started leaking inside the livable part of their home. After having a professional roofer inspect the roof, it was determined that the previous owners placed new shingles on top of an old, decrepit roof and improperly sealed it. It’s been determined that the entire roof must be replaced. Insurance will not cover most of these costs.

The Impact on the Children

As any parent knows, your home should be a sanctuary for your children. For this family, that sanctuary has been compromised. Because black mold is highly toxic, nearly everything in the children’s rooms—including beds, dressers, mattresses, bedding, clothing, and toys—has been contaminated by spores and must be discarded to protect their health.

The children are currently displaced from their own beds (sleeping on air mattresses in their living room and kitchen for the last two months) and the family is facing the daunting task of professionally remediating the mold before it spreads to the rest of the house.

Why We Need Your Help

Professional mold remediation is an overwhelming expense that is not covered by standard insurance policies. It is an intensive and expensive process. In 2026, the average cost for moderate to severe remediation can range from $5,000 to over $30,000, depending on the structural damage found behind the drywall.

It has been determined that before addressing the mold remediation inside the house, the roof replacement must take place due to moisture building up and impacting the livable part of their home any further.

This family is facing:

Remediation: Full containment and removal of toxic spores.

Structural Repairs: Replacing damaged drywall, subflooring, and bathroom fixtures.

Replacing Essentials: Buying new beds, clothing, and furniture for the children.

Full Roof Replacement: Tearing off the two current roofs, replacing wood, and installing the new roof.

The family has chosen to remain anonymous to protect their children’s privacy during this difficult time, but the financial burden is more than any one household can carry alone.

How You Can Help

Every dollar raised will go directly toward the professional cleaning and reconstruction of the children's rooms and bathroom, ensuring they have a safe, mold-free environment to grow up in.

Donate: No amount is too small. Even $10 or $20 helps cover the cost of materials or a new set of bedding.

Share: If you cannot donate, please share this link with your network. Spreading the word is just as valuable.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness and your support in helping this family bring their children home to a safe environment.