Andrea and Corey, my sister and her boyfriend, have just experienced a devastating loss. Six months ago, Andrea returned home after caring for our mom in Florida following her stroke, and she and Corey were working hard to build their lives together. Andrea works as a beauty advisor at Walgreens, and Corey is dedicated to helping others through his job at a mental health agency. Their cat, Ozzy, is their baby and means the world to them.

Early this morning, a fire broke out on the ground floor of their apartment building and quickly spread upward. As they tried desperately to rescue Ozzy, a police officer urged Corey to evacuate immediately. Moments after they escaped, the roof caved in. They lost everything—every piece of clothing, every blanket and pillow, cherished family items from our parents’ home, computers, cookware, and all the food and toiletries they had just purchased before a snowstorm. Their cat Ozzy was saved by the fire department but is now in the veterinary hospital, fighting to recover and needing oxygen treatment.

The funds raised will help Andrea and Corey replace their lost wardrobes, pay Ozzy’s veterinary bills, cover the costs of replacing vital documents like birth certificates and Social Security cards, and help with insurance deductibles and finding a new place to live. They are unable to return to their apartment of six years, which was a total loss. Times are hard for everyone financially, so for two young individuals to be displaced without anywhere to go—and with their beloved cat in the hospital—any support is deeply appreciated. From the bottom of our family’s heart, thank you for taking the time to share, donate, and support this cause. Andrea and Corey have built a life together and now need help rebuilding the essentials to get back on their feet.