Help Amy Rebuild After Hurricane Ian and Loss

My sister's story was covered for an exclusive story on CNN News 9/26/24 (Video Below)

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/26/climate/video/hurricane-ian-florida-damage-insurance-digvid

I am writing on behalf of my sister Amy Hawk and my family who are in dire need of assistance and support, and we are hoping you can help us. I am a firm believer in this platform and have donated previously to those in need. I am humbly asking for your help. We wish there was another way, but here we are.

Back story: My sister and her late husband moved to be closer to my family. Unfortunately, and unexpectedly her husband was diagnosed with a very rare form of Cancer. Amy lost her husband Doug to ALK Cancer during Covid. While, grieving, she also lost her home due to Hurricane Ian and everything that she owned and everything that was important to her. Her place was absolutely destroyed. She lost everything of her life and memory of her husband. She also lost her job due to the damage at her previous employer. We have been trying to pick up the pieces since then. My family has been dealing with the insurance companies not covering her losses.

My family has been battling what feels like insurmountable barriers and frustration for almost 2 years post the Hurricane with her insurance companies that have been refusing to re-imburse her for her absolute loss. Thus, why I am here asking for help.

For almost 2 years, I have had countless telephone conversations and listened about their struggles. Countless late-night calls for support with just trying to rebuild her house, the insurance rejections, the long sleepiness nights, and a heavy black crushing cloud of depression for my family while trying to navigate this insanity. I immediately flew out after my work contract expired to lend support and assistance to my family.

My father is a Military Veteran with ongoing medical and health issues. He is 77 years old, on serious medication and he has been going to the house every day in 90 plus degree weather trying to build my sister’s house. Yet, every day he goes to my sister’s construction site and makes the 45 minutes plus drive there and back. I have been here for over 2 1/2 months. I have been trying to save my family money. I am not a construction worker, but every day I have been trying to piece this house together. We are respectively requesting your support.

We are asking for help on some contracting issues that we are facing. Despite my best intent, I can’t do this on my own. Nor, my father or my family. Basically, it’s just me, my sister and my father everyday battling the grueling summer heat to rebuild my sister’s home. We are trying complete electrical, plumbing, roofing, sheet rock, insulation and HVAC.

My sister is the most amazing and caring person in the world. It is absolutely crushing and devastating to see her and my family go through this. Despite her loss with her husband and home, she volunteered at the Food pantry to support other people in need post Hurricane Ian.

This house should have been built about a year and a half ago if the insurance companies paid out and we were able to get the contractors to do the work. This result has been a huge burden and conflict among us. No family should go through this. Ever.

We know we are not alone, in this. We realize and recognize that by the lack of paying out from insurance companies is huge systematic issue within this State. We collectively hope that we can send a message to these insurance companies that families are personally sacrificing so much because of their lack of following through in paying out what people are actually owed in damages when the damage is clearly visible. We have sacrificed so much just trying to get my sister back in her home. Despite it all, my sister deserves a new start with rebuilding her life with her dog Beacon.

We are not asking for a handout, but a hand up. Thank you so much. Any donation is beyond appreciative. Also, if there are any Military Veteran construction groups that could assist in volunteering their time with helping us rebuild, we would be appreciative.

Thank you,

Brett Shuttleworth